‘He can help’ – Mikel Arteta reveals the ‘only way’ Bukayo Saka can still impact Arsenal after injury

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Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to miss out on a large chunk of the season following a fresh injury for the winger.

Saka picked up a hamstring tear against Crystal Palace, which has come as a major blow to the side and their Premier League title hopes.

Mikel Arteta confirmed Saka will miss “many weeks” through injury, with solutions needed quickly to help Arsenal pick up more points.

While the Gunners look to pick up the pieces from the absence, there may still be a key role for the 23-year-old to play.

• READ MORE: What Mikel Arteta just said about replacing Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling with Arsenal’s January transfer plans

How Bukayo Saka can still help Arsenal after injury

While Bukayo Saka may not be able to have an impact on the pitch. Mikel Arteta has suggested the winger can still help the side.

Whether it’s in the dressing room or supporting from the stands, there may still be ways in which the 23-year-old can help inspire a title push.

Speaking in his press conference before the Ipswich game, the manager said: “He’s [Saka] going to immediately realise that he’s really important in that dressing room.

“His body language is the only way he can help so he had better do that.”

There may be some tips he can take from Martin Odegaard and the role the captain played when he was missing for an extended period.

Arsenal will have to respond to his absence better than that of the Norwegian though, with some mixed form without him.

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Mikel Arteta must learn from Martin Odegaard injury mistake

When it came to replacing Odegaard, Arteta decided to change the formation and opted against taking many risks.

That, in turn, made Arsenal more predictable as they struggled to open teams up and score goals at a free-flowing rate.

The lack of chances for Ethan Nwaneri was a clear issue, one that he can’t make again when it comes to replacing Saka.

The youngster could add that spark that was missing, while still having all the ability to play on the right flank.

Taking risks will be the only way Arsenal can claw their way back into a title race that has seen their odds shrunk further with injury to Saka.

The emergence of Nwaneri could swing things back into the favour of the Gunners.