Mikel Arteta has suggested Bukayo Saka could be given a new role upon his return from injury. The 23-year-old winger suffered a hamstring problem during Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace back in December.
Saka had surgery a few days later and he's been absent ever since, missing 20 games across all competitions. As part of his rehabilitation programme, the England international was often seen in the gym during the Gunners' warm-weather training camp at the NAS Sports Complex in Dubai.
Now, after three months on the sidelines, Saka is finally back on the grass at the Sobha Realty Centre. The Hale End graduate announced his return from injury on Thursday afternoon – just days before Arsenal are set to lock horns with Fulham.
The Gunners will face the Cottagers at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening before facing Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. A few days later, Arsenal will host Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal.
While Saka will likely replace Ethan Nwaneri or Gabriel Martinelli on the right, Arteta has previously revealed that he'd be open to trialling him in a central position – whether that be leading the line or as an attacking midfielder.
The Spaniard was quizzed on the prospect late last year. Speaking in December, Arteta said: "I think that will depend a lot on the qualities and the players who are around him.
"For somebody to be inside instead of outside, somebody has to be outside and that player, that full-back, that attacking midfielder and number nine has to allow the space to do that.
"But I’m certainly very open to keep evolving players. Sometimes it’s the role, sometimes it’s the position on the pitch and sometimes there are other things we can do so that he can spend more time in this position.
"Because when the ball is far on the opposite side, we can choose where we want him, but we’re certainly thinking about these kind of things."
Then, a few days later, Arteta was asked a similar question about Nwaneri. The Arsenal boss said: "Depending on who they are surrounded with and which position, Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder, left attacking midfielder, as a right winger and there is another position he can develop into in a few years time."
On what the position was, Arteta added: "Nine. He’s got the goal in front of him and he just looks at the goal. He has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net."
So, if one of Saka or Nwaneri were to be shifted into a central position, Arteta would likely have to drop Martinelli or Mikel Merino – unless he plans to drop Martin Odegaard. If his star-man was to be omitted from the starting lineup then one of the Hale End graduates would be given a far more demanding midfield role.
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