The England winger is facing a stint on the sidelines after limping off early in Arsenal's commanding 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Back in the autumn of 2023, a playful meme circulated among Arsenal fans online. It featured an iconic scene from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, where children sing hilariously off-key to Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart. One boy eventually nails the chorus, stealing the show. The meme’s caption read: “Mikel Arteta trying to find a backup for Bukayo Saka.” The out-of-tune singers represented Arsenal’s other wingers, including Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, while the angelic voice symbolized Saka himself.
Arsenal’s right wing isn’t a problem position—after all, it’s home to one of their brightest stars. However, the struggle to find a capable deputy for Saka has become increasingly problematic. Despite warning signs, Arsenal have failed to ease the burden on their talisman, and Saturday’s events were a grim reminder of that misstep. Saka limped off with a hamstring strain, leaving Selhurst Park on crutches—a sight that left Mikel Arteta deeply concerned. This situation, however, is one of Arsenal’s own making.
Over-Reliance on Saka
During Arsenal’s 2022-23 title challenge, their attacking output was evenly distributed. Saka, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Martin Ødegaard all hit double figures in Premier League goals. Arsenal were thrilling to watch, playing football true to their philosophy.
Since then, Arteta’s tactical tweaks, designed to prioritize control and grind out results, have shifted more responsibility onto Saka and Ødegaard. Martinelli and Jesus haven’t maintained their previous levels, forcing Saka to shoulder an increasingly heavy attacking load. In 2023-24, Saka was Arsenal’s only player to record double figures in both goals and assists, amassing 34 goal involvements in 47 games. By comparison, Ødegaard registered 22.
Now 23, Saka has already racked up 250 senior club appearances and 43 England caps. It was only a matter of time before the relentless workload caught up with him.
The Cost of Saka’s Heavy Workload
Saka’s style of play makes him indispensable. He embodies the classic 4-4-2 winger, capable of stretching the pitch offensively while diligently tracking back defensively. On the right flank, he protects his full-back, then transitions effortlessly to create or score at the other end.
This relentless versatility comes at a cost. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Saka has missed 22 games for club and country due to injury—a stark contrast to his prior durability. While this latest layoff may offer him much-needed rest, it also exposes Arsenal’s lack of preparation to manage life without him.
Arsenal’s Lack of Alternatives
Arsenal have struggled to find a viable backup for Saka. He remains their only left-footed wide attacker, and the departure of Nicolas Pépé left a gap that has never been filled. This lack of depth narrows Arsenal’s attacking options, making it harder to break down teams and limiting Ødegaard’s ability to operate effectively on the right.
The issue has been exacerbated by Arsenal’s over-reliance on Saka since his academy breakthrough. With 250 appearances in just six years, the miles on his young legs are far from ordinary.
The Road Ahead
With Saka sidelined, Arteta must adapt. Against Crystal Palace, Martinelli switched to the right wing and scored, offering a glimpse of potential solutions. Gabriel Jesus and loanee Raheem Sterling can also deputize, potentially leading to more fluidity with wide players swapping flanks mid-game. Teenager Ethan Nwaneri, a promising talent, could also feature, providing a left-footed option to maintain balance on the right.
In the longer term, Arsenal may turn to the transfer market. Sporting CP’s Geovany Quenda, a 17-year-old left-footed winger with defensive and attacking capabilities, has emerged as an intriguing option. However, signing a backup in January will be challenging, especially for a role requiring both patience and high quality.
Title Hopes in Jeopardy
Arsenal’s title challenge is under threat. Six points behind league leaders Liverpool, and having played one game more, the Gunners face an uphill battle. Each game without Saka weakens their chances.
Arteta may now need to loosen the tactical reins, allowing Arsenal to play with greater attacking freedom to compensate for Saka’s absence. While thriving without their star winger would be ideal, survival and scraping every available point might be the more realistic aim.
The title race isn’t over, but Arsenal must find solutions quickly if they hope to keep their dreams alive.
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