Forget Martinelli, Mikel Arteta only has one true replacement for Bukayo Saka amid Arsenal injury woe

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Mikel Arteta has another injury crisis to tend to at Arsenal as Bukayo Saka sustained a blow against Crystal Palace.

As Arsenal cruised to victory over Crystal Palace, the Gunners were not able to relax as Saka was withdrawn in the first half. 

The Hale End graduate was seen in great discomfort going down clutching his hamstring, with the latest update not making for encouraging reading.

Saka left Selhurst Park on crutches, causing fear to grow around Arsenal as their star player looked to be in real trouble after the fixture. 

• READ MORE: Arsenal sent brutally honest Liverpool verdict as Bukayo Saka injury timeline comes to light

Ethan Nwaneri is Arsenal’s real Bukayo Saka replacement 

It’s been suggested that Saka will be out for a number of weeks after sustaining an injury to his right hamstring, which is a considerable blow for the Gunners.

Arsenal’s forwards have been urged to step up in Saka’s absence, with a lot of ground to cover to ensure the winger isn’t missed too badly.

Considering that the 23-year-old has played a direct part in 44% of Arsenal’s Premier League goals this season, Arteta has a tough job to replace the superstar sufficiently.

Some Arsenal fans want Gabriel Martinelli to replace Saka on the right side, which would see the Brazilian trade the left side to cover the Englishman’s absence.

While such could work well for both the player and Arsenal, moving Martinelli’s position is not the most practical option.

When considering what Saka offers the Gunners, many would point to the Hale End graduate’s ability to deceive the opposition and cut onto his trusted left foot from the right. 

The skill is only doable by one other Arsenal attacker and that is Ethan Nwaneri, a fellow left-footed forward who certainly has the ability to create and cause problems.

Arteta is stretched for resources when it comes to right-sided left-footers however, Nwaneri could be the answer to the Arsenal manager’s woes if he takes a chance on the 17-year-old.

What Mikel Arteta has said about Nwaneri’s versatility 

While the teenager is a central attacking midfielder by trade, Arteta thinks Nwaneri can play a range of positions. 

The boss said to the media before Arsenal’s EFL Cup clash against Crystal Palace that the youngster has the potential to play a number of roles.

“He [Nwaneri] can play as a right attacking midfielder, left attacking midfielder and a winger. I also think he can develop as a nine,” Arteta admitted.

Already, there’s an indication that the manager would trust Nwaneri to cover areas other than his favoured number 10 role in the near future.

Saka’s injury comes at a frustrating time but, it could benefit players such as Nwaneri, whom Arteta has been told to utilise more despite being cautious about his development.