Pundit reckons Mikel Arteta could make a change at Arsenal that will really ‘freak’ opponents out

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Former Arsenal player Adrian Clarke has shared his hot take for the 2025/26 season.

The objective of the season is undoubtedly to win silverware, with the Gunners finishing the previous three campaigns as runners-up.

Progress has been seen in Europe, as Arsenal got to the Champions League semi-finals, being defeated by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. 

Mikel Arteta will be desperate to get his hands on a major trophy over the year ahead, but first, there are plenty of obstacles to overcome. 

• READ MORE: Piers Morgan says Arsenal recently humiliated one Premier League club ‘massively’

Adrian Clarke thinks Bukayo Saka could play on the left for Arsenal this season

As Arsenal know, a lot can happen over the course of a season.

Still only on matchday three, there have been some positive signs from the Gunners, as well as some welcome surprises. 

One revelation has been the signing of Noni Madueke, who has really impressed for club and country when playing on the right side. 

At present, Madueke is playing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka; however, there’s a chance that the winger’s position on the right side could become more permanent. 

Speaking on The Athletic’s Handbrake Off podcast, Adrian Clarke revealed that his ‘hot take’ this season is that Saka could be played more on the left side. 

“A hot take for this season is that we will see Bukayo Saka have a little spell on the left wing, and he’ll be really good, and it’ll give us that extra new dimension,” Clarke said.

“I can see it, if Saka and Madueke are considered the first choice, I could see Arteta maybe playing Noni on the right and bringing Saka over to the left.”

The former Arsenal player went on to share his opinion that the change could be a real boost for the Gunners, a tweak that could stun opposition defenders.

“A random one, but I would do it, it would freak opposition right-backs out for a start, wouldn’t it?”

Saka’s record when playing on the left 

Saka is an immovable figure in the Arsenal squad, but Arteta could be tempted to move him over to the left to accommodate Madueke. 

It’s a position that isn’t usually attached to the Hale End product; however, when coming through under Unai Emery, Saka played at left-back at first. 

Playing on the left isn’t something that would make the winger feel particularly alienated, given that Saka has recorded 51 goal contributions from that side over his career.

Being a left-footer, there’s less room for the forward to cut in on his strong foot to fire a shot on goal, but that by no means would restrict him on the opposite side.

After Madueke’s triumphs over the September international break, Clarke’s hot take could happen a lot sooner than anticipated.