Arsenal star Bukayo Saka suffered a torn hamstring in the Gunners’ emphatic 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, ruling him out for ‘many weeks’. Saka’s absence comes ahead of a huge run of games for Arsenal, who still hope to win the Premier League title, despite their autumn slump.
The Gunners play Ipswich, Brentford and Brighton in their next three league games, and then comes two huge cup ties. Arteta’s men welcome Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-finals five days before hosting Manchester United in the FA Cup. Then it’s the small matter of the north London Derby before clashes with Aston Villa and Dinamo Zagreb to round out five consecutive home games.
Having already lost Martin Odegaard for an extended period, coinciding with their dip in form, fans are worried about what Saka’s absence could do for their season, especially after Arteta suggested that they won’t be signing a replacement in January.
With that in mind, here are four ways that Arsenal could line up without him.
1. Martinelli returns to the right
For starters, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll see Arsenal in any other shape than a 4-3-3. Yes, Arteta has used a 4-2-3-1 formation during his managerial career but the principles remain the same; two wingers and one striker.
The obvious option would be to play Gabriel Martinelli as the right winger, where Saka was been so ever-present since his breakthrough under Unai Emery. The Brazilian isn’t having his best season but has played on the right 10 times for Arsenal.
Last season, the Gunners won three and drew one of the four matches in which Martinelli, a left winger by trade, played in the role. That draw was at Manchester City, suggesting that Arteta has a successful formula on his hands if the 23-year-old shifts sides.
2. Arteta uses Guardiola’s tactic
Had it not been for Gabriel Jesus’ goalscoring form in the past week, this would be another fairly straightforward option for Arteta. The striker has notched five goals in his last two games – both of which were against Palace – after not scoring in the league since January 2023.
Jesus may be hitting a purple patch up front but knows how to operate on the right. The 27-year-old has scored eight goals and registered 10 assists in 28 games as a right winger, although most of those came for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City team.
Arteta would risk upsetting Jesus with the move but Kai Havertz could push further upfield and the inclusion of Thomas Partey gives the Gunners a more solid base. One to ponder.
3. Trossard shows his versatility
For £27million, Leandro Trossard has been a handy pick-up by Arsenal. Having joined from Brighton two years ago, the Belgium international has added goals and versatility to the Gunners’ attack and that’s exactly what Arteta will want from him if he decides he’s best to replace Saka.
Trossard, 30, has only played once on the right-hand side for Arsenal – the Gunners’ 4-1 win at home to Leeds in 2023 – but got plenty of minutes in the role at Brighton and was deployed there during Belgium’s Euro 2024 campaign. The forward was signed to give Arteta more options in all three positions in attack, so it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to get the nod.
4. Sterling gets his chance
Last but certainly not least, the most experienced right winger of them all at Arsenal – bar Saka – Raheem Sterling. Boasting 178 career appearances in the position while at Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and now Arsenal, Sterling has registered an impressive 51 goals and 48 assists.
The 82-time England international hasn’t broke into Arteta’s preferred line-up since his loan move from Chelsea but an opening on the right flank could be perfect. Sterling, also 30, has already been used on the right five times by Arteta, although they’ve mostly been substitute appearances.
“It’s been tough and very difficult for me as well to accept that I haven’t given him more,” the Arsenal boss confessed earlier this month. “When he hasn’t started the games, 90 per cent of the subs that I make is related to saving minutes or because of injuries or avoiding injuries.
“It’s not tactical reasons. I would like him to play much more as I think he can impact the team in a very good way. He’s very good in the dressing room and is absolutely desperate to play.
“He had this very important role, impacting every game, and suddenly you are in this position for a while. Not just here but at Chelsea as well. So it’s always very difficult and I feel a lot of sympathy for players when they are in this moment. Hopefully we can change it.”
