Replacing Bukayo Saka is an unfair burden to put on any player but it looks increasingly like it will be Gabriel Martinelli’s cross to bear – though manager Mikel Arteta insists the responsibility lies with the entire team.
As auditions for the right-wing role go, the Brazilian’s performance against Ipswich did little to set pulses racing but given the whole team lacked imagination in the final third, he can hardly be blamed.
A goal from Kai Havertz, who converted Leandro Trossard’s cross from close-range on 22 minutes, was enough to secure a victory that keeps the Gunners in the title race. However, there was no getting away from the Saka discussion in the post-game press conference after manager Mikel Arteta revealed the England international had undergone surgery on his torn hamstring.
“He had a procedure. Everything went well. But, unfortunately, he will be out for many, many weeks,” confirmed the Spaniard.
For anyone in denial about the seriousness of the player’s injury, the news is a bitter pill to swallow.
While it sounds like Raheem Sterling, absent with a knee injury for two games, won’t be sidelined as long as first feared, it’s clear Arsenal need a spark on the right flank to keep opponents – so adept at frustrating them with a low block – on their toes.
Asked about Martinelli’s potential to provide effective cover, Arteta said: “I think the replacement of Bukayo is going to be the team and that unit in particular and having minutes together and asking different things and doing that.
“There was moments that it flowed really well. There were moments that we can still have some work to do there and improve it and adapt to the qualities of the individuals. And I’m certain that we’re going to do that.”
He added: “Gabby needs people around him. He needs constant threat. He needs to be always in the last line when the ball is on his side, that he has relationships there, and people close to him because he’s very intuitive. He’s always a threat.
“I think that if you’re isolating too much, you’re going to suffer, especially playing with a natural foot on the right and that’s things that we can evolve and improve.”
At the halfway point of the season, Liverpool’s six-point advantage and game in hand suggests they will be a very difficult opponent to chase down. At the same time, with four trophies still in play, the next few months offer plenty of opportunities for Arsenal to end a five-year wait for major silverware.
Indeed, Arsenal’s unbeaten run now stands at 11 games and that extends to 17 at home.
“That’s a big platform to continue,” Arteta told Arsenal.com. “We have, in my opinion, dropped some points that we deserved to have on the board.
“Overall, with everything that we have been through in the first six months of the season, I think the team is in a good position.”
It isn’t just the right wing we need to sort out. I think we do look a lot better with Rice at ‘8’, gives us something going forward. Having Partey or Jogi holding at home seems like a good idea.
Also remember Rob Holding – hero.
Unsure Sterling could be the sole answer even 100% fit.
I like Cunha but do not think he is the answer neither. Has he ever played on the right side?
I saw Antonio Nusa was at the stadium yesterday but think the shoes are too big for him to fill at the moment and also like him much better on the left flank.
I do not see anyone we could buy/loan in January who would be a good fit tbh. My best guess would be Jesus/Sterling on the right with Havertz at 9 and Partey/Merino back in the midfield.
You can’t replace Saka and it was already stodgy against low blocks even with him; but a profile like Cunha helps. He’s similar to Trossard, who is nearing the end of his prime, so it’s a longer term need as well, but in the short term he gives you another option for end product in the final third. Players get tired, out of form or injured. You can never have too many goal scoring threats to bring on.
I don’t know Cunha enough to have a real opinion on him but don’t think Trossard is at the end of his prime yet.
Also, it seems we might recall Fabio Vieira to fill in. Unsure this is the best for him who was playing regular minutes nor for the team as I don’t think he has the qualities to play on the flank but if Mikel says so!
He can play “on the wing,” in theory, the same way Bernardo does for city. That’s essentially a free role. Find the space and use your special vision and ball striking to cause problems. Fabio has the talent for this but he is yet to demonstrate consistent understanding of how to maximize small openings and manipulate opponents with his first touch and body shape like Bernardo does. Little wonder too given their age difference. If it doesn’t work, that’ll be why. But it’s a no brainer to bring him back in the fold because we need every drop of creativity… Read more »
I guess it’s time to do some shopping. Lookman could probably have been acquired for £30 million last summer. In the 23/24 season he had a goal/appearance rate of 37%, Saka 43%. This season, Lookman has impressive 60% and Saka 37%.
The Premier League is tougher than Serie A. And Lookman is a centre forward. But we might still have good use for him.
Atalanta is leading Serie A, thanks to him, and would probably not sell in January.
We need two or three players similar level to Saka plus squad players if we want to really complete for the top prizes. I’d obviously love it if Jesus and Martinelli up their game and prove that they can do it consistently but they haven’t for years now. Since we don’t seem to have anybody coming through the youth ranks it’s up to the owners to put their hands in their pockets and buy the players to complete the squad. There’s not much wrong with the rest of the team but if you compare us with teams like Bayern, Liverpool… Read more »
Salah:Saka Diaz:Martinelli Jota:Trossard Nunes:Havertz Gakpo:Jesus Chiesa:Sterling The depth chart is not that dissimilar. What’s setting them apart creatively right now, in large part, is TAA. People don’t appreciate what this guy can do. He’s the most creative FB in the world, bar none, and the most creative in that position since Dani Alves. Specifically his creativity comes from zones on the pitch where he has no business being creative: zones so deep it’s not feasible or practical to close him down. He’s a unicorn with a superpower that Slot has harnessed superbly. Combine that with an all timer season from… Read more »
…superpower that Klopp has harnessed….
Not so well as Slot. Slot has made Trent his centerpiece. Under Klopp, he was asked to do too much sprinting up and down.
I think it’s overcomplicating it a little to say TAA is setting them apart. I think what’s setting them apart is refereeing and player availability. If those things were equal, we would likely have as many points as them. I agree TAA is a great player, but so is Ben White, and so is Timber. We just haven’t had them available to us often enough, and we’ve had referees throwing up obstacles every chance they get. If someone knee caps Usain Bolt and I then beat him in the 100m, what set us apart wasn’t my running ability.
People need to understand how special he is on the ball. This is David Beckham playing FB. He killed us already this season. Just watch these passes, then tell me who else can play this type of quality with this type of volume from these areas. Ridiculous.
https://x.com/idoxvi/status/1847307845366161604?s=46
It’s not a relevant point though. Even if he was the greatest player of all time, you still only get 3 points for a win. The difference between us and Liverpool is 6 points. If we’d had their luck with injuries and refereeing decisions, we’d undoubtedly have at least 6 more points than we do now. So he isn’t the difference, no matter how good he is. If you take him out of the team, of course they would have fewer points. But we wouldn’t need them to have fewer points were it not for injuries and refereeing decisions.
I keep seeing this excuse wheeled out.. Refereeing decisions will always go against teams throughout a season, that’s just part and parcel of the game. And yes we’ve had a few shockers, but we’ve also been absolutely abject in probably 80%+ of our games this season. With the exception of Rice’s red card, where else have we dropped points due to the referee solely..? Trossard vs Man City is not one; by the letter of the law, he should’ve gone, and he was stupid. The law is f**king ridiculous, and yes other players haven’t been penalised when we have, but… Read more »
I’m so bored of that “letter of the law” bullshit. It hasn’t been applied to a single other club. Liverpool players have wasted time in exactly the same way and not had players sent off for it.
I promise you will never see another player get sent off for that. File those next to the Martinelli double yellow and the van Persie kick away. Bournemouth was 0-0 when the red card happened, Brighton was 1-0 and Man City was 2-1. Nobody can know what would’ve happened in those games at even game state but it’s not a stretch to say the red cards cost us, nor can it be argued that the decisions were unorthodox to say the least. The logical assumption is that those red cards cost us 5 points with two wins turning into draws… Read more »
We lost some points we didn’t deserve to lose but they also accumulated lots of points that they absolutely deserved. They are on a 95 point pace and Trent is a huge part of that. Of course he is not the entire difference in point totals but he is a big part of what makes them such a special team. Ben White this season hasn’t been himself but even at his peak, while both he and Timber are more complete players than Trent because they can defend superbly, neither of them have his game breaking superpower on the ball. Nobody… Read more »
“We need two or three players similar level to Saka…”
That’s between £300m to £450m required for starters.
Saka level? You’re talking world class £150m each.
Honestly, some of you on here are hilarious. 🤣
We already have Saka, I would like at least 1 more
We need to be thinking in the 100m bracket honestly, not sure we can quite get somebody as good as Saka
Much as I’d love it to happen, I can’t see Josh sanctioning a cool £150m in January. In fact, I couldn’t see him sanctioning that amount on one player in the summer, let alone now. But, hey ho, you never know… All jokes aside, Iwe do need at least someone fairly decent at attacking goal, with a £40m+ price tag attached to them incoming, if we’re to stand a chance of catching Liverpool. This is no time for ‘making do with what we have.’ We HAVE to strengthen. If we don’t, we’ll be found wanting and Gooner pitch forks will… Read more »
We’re on the same page with that qwally…failure to sign someone in the next month is basically giving up on the league this season.
I’m so glad this got picked up on. Yeah, 3 more Saka’s would be great. We should go to the Saka store and get them. Hopefully we can find a 2 for 1 voucher.
Double Clubcard points if you buy six.
Just saying…
…and a free sack to pack all the Sakas.
🤣👍
Lookman is a good player but are you suggesting we buy a center forward to replace our right winger ? I am not sure I understand who you are trying to replace !
We wouldn’t miss Saka as much if we had more productive players in other positions.
Agreed but what about balance ? Mikel loves when danger comes from everywhere. Is your plan to go through the middle only?
Well I assume we’d keep wingers. You want someone so good that teams double up and worry about that player. Doesn’t matter where it is, that creates space for others and pulls players around
Imo we have no one who can create danger on the right side but Jesus atm
No I’m more bothered about the LW, two Sakas plus a less conventional striker in the middle like Jesus or Kai would be pretty devastating. If we lost a winger we’d still have the other one plus trossard or martinelli. On the other hand Jesus over the last couple of games has demonstrated the difference the right kind of striker makes. If we had two scary wingers plus a more productive Jesus type player we’d just destroy most teams. Cunha might be that guy I don’t know. Maybe Jesus will carry on scoring. When he plays like he did against… Read more »
I think Lookman is more realistic than Isak, whom I would prefer. Isak is +100 mill and probably not for sale at all. Looking around in the world, where is that top talent with consistency? Maybe Eze, but again – an enormous price tag and a risk of failing, like we did with Nicolas Pepe.
I don’t trust Lookman’s profile to translate to Arsenal. He plays in a unique system under Gasperini, a system that caters to him. Won’t be so here. We need unicorns, and he is not one.
Speaking about Gasperini and unicorns I’ve always liked Charles De Ketelaere who to me share qualities with Sesko who was very much appreciated by Mikel.
To be fair, I don’t see us spending +50M in January on Xavi Simons, Jordan Bakayoko, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens or anyone like this simply because their clubs will never let them go at this time of the year!
I think we will have to find the solution inside London Colney
Money talks.
At this point, you have to say Liverpool going forward are much better than us. They produce more dangerous and clear cut chances and put the opposition under tremendous pressure. To be fair they have been lucky with injuries this season with attacking players. Going into 2025 we just have to be more ruthless and finish teams off.
I do not like our game in the final third under Arteta.
Going forward with recruitment, we should invest in players who are good at unlocking teams that park the bus. We need different options in attack. Havertz does a great job with winning headers and holding the ball, but he doesn’t have that Giroud killer instict with headers in the box. That is another weapon we lack in the box, a player that is great in the air when we cross balls into the 6 yard box.
Arteta’s defensive carefulness leads to Arsenal generally not doing fast counter attacks. In the cup game against Crystal Palace, we had a couple and they produced goals.
Why wouldn’t Arteta want fast attacks? The issue is more that we don’t have big space sprinters besides Martinelli. Kai could be but his natural game is to come short. Everyone else is more of a ball manipulator than a runner. That’s why we were got Sterling and were after Mudryk, Neto and Sesko.
why? because they run, they run fast…
Definitely need some depth, but the fluidity in our game will likely improve in the coming weeks. Some unpredictability in our attacking patterns may help in that opposing teams will find it difficult to plan.
Small margins, Jesus got away with one in the League Cup vs Palace but missed out vs Ipswich, his finish was exceptional if was such a shame it got chalked off.
Gabriel won’t miss another header like that this season, I still can’t quite believe what I saw with him missing that open goal.
We can’t buy us out from the Saka absence, we need to adapt our style. We gave two great weaknesses compared to Liverpool , one is that they’re much better in counterattack and the second is that they move the ball quicker and with fewer touches against low defence blocks, thus stretching the defence and tire their legs .
We tend to take a lot of touches and move the ball to slowly
Lehman – Campbell – Vieira – Bergkamp or Pires – King Henry XIV -GOAL!
You would say that!
exactly this!
Maybe a slightly contrarian take but I don’t think we should be looking to “replace Saka” in the market. Before his injury we already had a big imbalance towards the right hand side because of a lack of attacking quality on the left, and we still need to solve that problem. Between Sterling, Nwaneri, Martinelli and Jesus, we have enough right wing options to cover for Saka’s absence. But what we still need is a top class left attacker and another creative midfielder.
Florian Wirtz + Alexander Isak, the super premium deluxe package, $99.99
Alex Baena + Viktor Gyokeres, the Iberian package, $79.99
Omar Marmoush + Benjamin Sesko, the “Wild Germanic Sprinters” package, $69.99
Eberechi Eze + Victor Osimhen, the “Saving the Lost Boys” package, $59.99 (no returns)
Tyler Dibling + Liam Delap, the “Championship Pedigree” package, $49.99
That’s my depth chart. As of now.
Apart from everything else I am too thick to understand from this post, why are the prices in dollars?
It’s a simple conversion: one of these “dollars” is equal to 2 million pounds.
$99.99 in this case = 200 million pounds, etc.
Ah, gotcha. Thanks!
Florian Wirtz, ooh yes please
I’ll have one super premium deluxe package, please and thank you!
That’ll be 99,000 easy payments of $99.99! Would you like a lease with competitive compounding interest?
😅😂🤣🥲
I say we try a cheeky bid for Salah just for a laugh, start at £30,000,001
How about giving nwaneri a go on that right side?
He probably doesn’t track back enough.
Calafiori and Merino looking so pointless right now, for nigh on 100mil. The former especially with MLS getting the nods recently. What’s the point of “depth” if you barely use it? And at this stage every unnecessary minute on Saka’s hamstring looks criminal. Still keeping faith. If there’s no serious upgrades in the attacking line by the end of summer, I will be majorly disappointed. If there’s 100mil for Merifiori, why not for a damn solid first XI attacking player?
Calafiori was an attack minded signing. Attacks are built from the back. Destabilizing, collapsing structures leads to a cascade effect and Calafiori often starts those moves. He’s a supersize Zinchenko with more progressive intent. It’s early but if you look at the games where he starts, the offense clicks. It clicks especially when he and Timber both start. That said, I agree we also need more in attack. The club tried with Sesko and Neto.
Thanks Doc. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Cala and I get what you’re saying about him clicking. I also think he’s better defensively than Zinchenko. I hope he gets used more to justify the spend and that we have enough PSR headroom for a good forward.
happy holidays, folks. during the 2020 olympics, i watched a lot of brazil and spain because of two arsenal players; gabriel martinelli and dani ceballos. consequently, i became a huge fan of two different players; dani olmo and matheus cunha. on merit, cunha kept martinelli out of brazil’s starting lineup and i desperately wanted arsenal to sign him. after the olympics, matteo guendouzi went on loan to hertha, where he played alongside cunha, so i got to see a lot more of him and i was convinced that arsenal should sign him. for those wondering, cunha is that good. my… Read more »