Mikel Arteta sends Arsenal players key warning over replacing injured Bukayo Saka

Evening Standard

·26 December 2024

Mikel Arteta sends Arsenal players key warning over replacing injured Bukayo Saka

Arteta admitted Gunners will be “different” without Saka for extended period

Mikel Arteta has told his players to be themselves and not to try to imitate Bukayo Saka as Arsenal search for solutions in the absence of their star winger.

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Saka tore his hamstring last Saturday in the first-half of Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The England winger left the ground on crutches and Arteta confirmed on Monday he will be out for “many weeks”.

Arteta is now working out how Arsenal will set up with Saka, who has provided five goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season, and one thing he doesn’t want is his players to try and copy the 23-year-old.

“We are looking at every option we can do,” said Arteta. “Especially because we lost two players (Saka and Raheem Sterling).

“So we are going to be different. That’s it. Trying to be the same, but worse? This, I don’t want. Someone trying to do Bukayo? That player has to be him. That’s it. That’s the direction.”

Arteta has several options to replace Saka on the right wing, with one of those being Gabriel Martinelli.

Gabriel Martinelli could move over to the ring wing

AFP via Getty Images

The Brazilian has had a tough season out on the left flank but, when moved to the right last Saturday after Saka went off, Martinelli scored Arsenal’s fourth goal in their 5-1 win over Palace.

“I think it’s something collective,” said Arteta, when asked about players stepping up in Saka’s absence.

“He (Martinelli) certainly did that because he had a big impact in the game [against Palace] and like other players everybody is going to have to add something else because Bukayo, who we rely a lot on, is not going to be with us.

“Gaby loves it - you give him a challenge and he wants to do it today if he can. He’s a player that likes responsibility and likes having a bigger role. But it’s for all the players to take responsibility.”

Martinelli revealed after the win at Palace that he had received a message of support from former Arsenal striker Ian Wright this season.

Wright reached out to the forward after his tough run and Arteta believes the support from legends like that is a big boost for his squad.

“I promote that 100 per cent - learning from people with experience who have been so successful and know this football club,” said Arteta.

“And if they have a genuine, positive interest to help, everybody is more than welcome.”

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