Bukayo Saka has dominated the headlines at Arsenal recently.
The Englishman was forced to play as an attacking midfielder in the FA Cup clash against Wigan Athletic after Riccardo Calafiori was injured in the warm-up.
Saka impressed as a number 10 and was given another chance against Wolves at Molineux, where he scored inside five minutes from his new position.
Arsenal have since announced Saka’s new contract, and all eyes will be on how he performs in the North London Derby clash against Tottenham next.
Paul Merson wants his role to be changed again.
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Paul Merson tells Mikel Arteta not to play Bukayo Saka in midfield vs Tottenham
Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby next.
The Gunners need to bounce back after drawing each of their last two Premier League games, so Mikel Arteta must get his tactics right.
One of the big dilemmas ahead of the clash on Sunday is where Bukayo Saka should start the game.
The Englishman is naturally a right-winger, but his two performances as an attacking midfielder showed a lot of promise.
Mikel Arteta has a decision to make, but if it were up to Merson, Saka’s position would be changed back to right-wing for the North London Derby.
The pundit wrote on Sportskeeda: “Mikel Arteta used Bukayo Saka as a no.10 instead. He’s not suited to play there because he’s a proper winger.
“I won’t be surprised if Saka goes to the wing and Eze comes on for Madueke in this game.
“For me, Eze has to play as the no.10 against Spurs. He’s good in tight spaces and is better than Saka in that role.”
What should be Bukayo Saka’s starting position in the North London Derby – right-wing or attacking midfield?
Paul Merson is right about Bukayo Saka, not about Eberechi Eze
We agree with Merson here; Saka should return to his usual right-wing role when Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
However, the pundit isn’t right about Eberechi Eze.
Yes, we love to see the former Crystal Palace man in midfield, but if he comes in for Noni Madueke, he will play in that right-sided attacking midfield role.
That does not suit Eze one bit. If the Arsenal number 10 starts, it should be on the left side of midfield or on the left flank, but both of those roles are occupied already.
It will be interesting to see what Arteta will do on Sunday, but Eze as a right-sided attacking midfielder will not work.
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