Arteta hints new role for Bukayo Saka at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has indicated that Bukayo Saka could feature more regularly in a central position after Arsenal’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic.

Saka was drafted into the starting line-up shortly before kick-off at the Emirates Stadium after Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury during the warm-up.

The reshuffle saw Myles Lewis-Skelly move to left-back, with Saka operating centrally behind Gabriel Jesus, flanked by Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke.

Tactical flexibility on display

Despite the late adjustment, Arsenal settled quickly. Eberechi Eze provided two early assists before Jack Hunt turned the ball into his own net.

Jesus added a fourth inside 30 minutes to effectively seal progression to the fifth round.

Saka was influential in the build-up to the third goal and was withdrawn at half-time with one eye on Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

When asked whether the experiment could become a longer-term option, Arteta said: “Yeah, that’s something that’s a possibility and I wanted to try it. We might use it in the future.

“There’s still so many games, competitions and different scenarios to play from now until the end of the season.
That’s a possibility that we have, yeah.”

Managing injuries and form

The result was tempered by fitness concerns. Calafiori was ruled out before kick-off, while Ben White was forced off late on.

Captain Martin Odegaard also missed the tie after picking up a knock in the midweek draw with Brentford.