Certain pundits and fanbases might be trying to hold their set-piece dominance against them, but it’s currently an excellent time to be an Arsenal fan.
Mikel Arteta’s side are undefeated in the Champions League, flying high at the top of the Premier League, and look like the best defensive side in world football.
Yet, the Gunners cannot rest on their laurels as their next opponent is the always dangerous Brighton & Hove Albion in the Fourth Round of the League Cup.
With that said, Arteta will need to make some changes to his team for the game, including dropping the talismanic Bukayo Saka.
Why Arteta should drop Saka
Now, there is undoubtedly an argument to be made that Arteta should keep Saka in the team for Wednesday’s game in a bid to help him build up more match fitness and momentum.
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However, such an argument loses a lot of weight when you consider that the Gunners’ next three games are against Burnley, Slavia Prague and Sunderland.
In other words, while those won’t be easy matches, they should be that bit more straightforward than a clash with the Seagulls and, in turn, even better opportunities for the 24-year-old to find some rhythm.
Moreover, and this interlinks with the main reason the manager should be dropping the Hale Ender: they are far more important games.
Following the last three years of almost getting there, it is far more important for Arsenal to win the Premier League or the Champions League; therefore, they need to play their best players in those competitions, not risk injury in lesser competitions.
25/26
26 days
6
24/25
122 days
25
23/24
36 days
10
21/22
6 days
1
20/21
13 days
2
19/20
13 days
0
Were this a couple of years ago, then perhaps it would be fine to play the Hale Ender in all four games.
Still, after he missed almost four months of action with a hamstring problem last season, and has already missed a month of action this year with another, it would be unwise to do so today.
Furthermore, with Noni Madueke and now Gabriel Martinelli out of action, risking the Ealing-born gem feels like it would be even more foolish than usual.
Finally, Arteta can happily rest Saka for the game against Brighton because, even with the other injuries, there is one player who could step in.
The Arsenal player Arteta must start over Saka
With Madueke and Martinelli out, the player who should and probably will come in for Saka against Brighton is Ethan Nwaneri.
The Hale End gem might be seen more as a central player in the long term, but last year proved he is more than capable of filling in for Saka on the right.
For example, in 37 appearances, totalling 1378 minutes, the “phenomenal” game-changer, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, managed to score nine goals and provide two assists.
That works out to a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes, which is a rate of return many seasoned professionals can’t even match.
Moreover, the manager knows he can deal with the Seagulls, as the Enfield-born gem scored a brilliant goal at the Amex in the league last season.
Additionally, it’s not like he was just lucky last season, as the 18-year-old’s underlying numbers were just as impressive as his output.
According to FBref, he ranked in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the league last season for successful take-ons, the top 6% for take-ons attempted and carrying distance, the top 8% for crosses, the top 9% for non-penalty goals and more, all per 90.
Goals – xG
+0.28
Top 1%
Non-Penalty Goals – npxG
+0.28
Top 1%
Successful Take-Ons
3.72
Top 2%
Successful Take-On %
59.7%
Top 2%
Take-Ons Attempted
6.23
Top 6%
Total Carrying Distance
286.79
Top 6%
Crosses
5.43
Top 8%
Non-Penalty Goals
0.40
Top 9%
Crosses into Penalty Area
0.60
Top 9%
Touches (Att 3rd)
34.09
Top 9%
Progressive Passes Rec
11.36
Top 11%
Progressive Carrying Distance
133.64
Top 11%
Goals
0.40
Top 12%
Goals/Shot
0.17
Top 12%
Goals/Shot on Target
0.44
Top 12%
Passes Completed (Short)
21.72
Top 12%
Carries
36.70
Top 12%
Finally, regardless of the rest of the team, the manager should be looking to start the teenager in this game, as he needs more minutes to keep him content with his squad role at present.
Ultimately, Arteta should drop Saka for the game against Brighton and start the incredibly exciting Nwaneri in his place.