Chris Sutton thinks that Arsenal’s attack is in desperate need of Bukayo Saka, who is unlike any of his other teammates.
The 24-year-old has missed the Gunners’ last four matches with an Achilles injury, and he remains a doubt for Sunday’s clash against Manchester City.
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Arsenal have struggled to create chances recently, with their performance against Sporting CP producing just one shot on target.
Mikel Arteta’s team have missed genuine quality in their attack, and Sutton thinks that Saka could be the difference maker.
Chris Sutton thinks Arsenal are really missing Bukayo Saka
Chris Sutton thinks Arsenal are really missing Bukayo Saka right now following another poor performance against Sporting CP.
Since losing Saka to injury, Arsenal have lost to Bournemouth and Southampton, drawn with Sporting and also beat them in the first leg.
Sutton told BBC 5 Live: “I don’t know how long Bukayo Saka is going to be out, but he does seem like a key player to me because he’s a little bit different to anything else that Arsenal have got in that final third.
“I think he has that edge in terms of his quality. So get him back, and I think they’ll send a far stronger chance of being more effective at the top end of the pitch. But it is a problem.”
Noni Madueke and Max Dowman have both struggled to replace Saka in the team, and it’s clear that they are missing their vice-captain.
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Madueke was forced off with a knee injury against Sporting, with Arteta saying: “I don’t know, it was something in his knee, so we had to take him off, so I don’t know.”
Losing both Madueke and Saka to injury for the trip to the Etihad could be catastrophic as it would leave Dowman as the only fit right winger.
Arteta could move Gabriel Martinelli to the right and play Leandro Trossard on the left, but that is far from an ideal pairing on the wing.
Arsenal will be hopeful of seeing Saka back in training over the next few days as the team gears up to face City on Sunday.
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