Bukayo Saka injury: 5 ways Arsenal can cope in star's absence

After tweaking his hamstring in the 5-1 triumph against Crystal Palace, Arsenal will be without a key player in Bukayo Saka, who will be sidelined for a few weeks, according to Mikel Arteta. 

With nine goals and thirteen assists in twenty-four appearances across all competitions this season, Saka has been a major influence. 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is rightly worried about his team's attacking performance in his absence due to his flexibility and inventiveness. 

The Gunners can employ the methods below to scale through this phase without Saka: 

1. Utilizing squad depth and versatility

It will be quite difficult to plug Saka's departure without Arsenal's mix of versatile players such as Gabriel Jesus. 

Though he generally positions himself as a striker, the in-form Jesus can also make good on-wing contributions. 

Like Saka, his quick pace, dribbling ability, and tireless work ethic can help to keep the energy on the right side. Jesus is a fantastic fit for this position given his experience and strategic thinking. 

Leandro Trossard is another contender worth giving thought to. Though he typically excels through the middle, he can and does play on both sides. Perhaps he can cover for Saka with his creativity and goal-scoring efficiency.

Trossard is flexible; hence, Arteta could try several attacking setups to bolster the offensive threat of the squad. 

Recalling Fulham's Reiss Nelson is a last resort. Experienced right winger Nelson came up via the club's ranks and will be eager to seize this chance since he has expertise performing in the Arsenal way, thus energising the team. Nelson is capable of exposing defences with his aggressiveness and pace. 

2. Tactical adjustments

With Saka absent from the picture, Arteta might alter the team's formation to make best use of his resources. Switching to a 3-4-3 shape with wing-backs offering width and midfielders bolstering the attack could be a smartdx approach as it also helps boost defensive solidity. 

Another option is to use a centre attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 arrangement which puts less attention on flank play and more on midfield creativity. 

This arrangement tremendously helps the squad to keep possession of the ball and fashion scoring opportunities by means of complex passing combinations. 

Those with the ability to initiate attacks and build links with the offensive players—like Trossard or Martin Ødegaard—can be quite creatively important. 

3. Promoting youth talent

Promising young players from Arsenal's outstanding academy, which has a strong claim from being one of the world's best, have a chance to highlight their abilities. 

Ethan Nwaneri's name has also recently surfaced as a possible Saka substitute. Since his early Premier League debut at the age of sixteen, Nwaneri has shown Arteta his aptitude. 

If granted a gradual integration into the first squad, he might bring fresh life and know-how to the team. 

We can also take into consideration other gifted young players such as Amario Cosier-Duberry, who has shone at the youth level. Long term, as well as for Saka's coverage, the club would benefit by having youth players in the senior squad. 

4. January transfer window reinforcements

Arsenal might seek to strengthen their squad in the coming January transfer window with Saka out for a long time. Getting a winger with Premier League experience will surely help the team and provide some much-needed respite. 

Among possible targets would be explosive players, who can adapt quickly to his tactical needs. It's also important to keep in mind that Chelsea loaned Raheem Sterling to Arsenal at the start of the season. 

However, a knee injury prevents Sterling from playing, rendering him unavailable. Thus, it would be wise to look for further reinforcements in the market so that the squad may stay competitive in all spheres. 

5. Emphasizing collective responsibility

The team has to improve all around without Saka. Rebuilding after the loss calls for team effort under direction from every member, especially the seniors. 

Consequently, fringe players have a chance to rise to the occasion and greatly help the squad to meet its goals throughout this season. The team has to maintain a good defence, guarantee ball retention, and excel in finishing. 

Arsenal's success throughout this demanding phase depends on keeping the emphasis on cooperation and camaraderie. 

It is impossible to overestimate the part the coaching staff plays in keeping good morale and getting the team primed for tactical excellence. 

Conclusion

With Bukayo Saka being so important to Arsenal's system, his absence is terrible news for the attack. 

Arsenal could be able to mitigate the impact of his absence by encouraging a feeling of team responsibility, using squad depth, applying tactical changes, supporting youth potential, and looking for transfer-market reinforcements.

The way Mikel Arteta's team manages this issue will define the course of the remainder of the season. To scale through, they will need to be tenacious and adaptable.