Four ways Mikel Arteta could utilise Mathys Tel at Arsenal – including in Bukayo Saka’s absence

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Arsenal are interested in Bayern Munich teenager Mathys Tel, who is eager to leave the Bundesliga club before Deadline Day.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign a forward before the January transfer window closes on Monday night.

The Arsenal manager is low on resources due to injuries to key players, not eased by the fact that the squad was short before the season started.

One emerging target is Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, who is set for a move this month.

Arsenal’s interest in Tel has been reported, with several Premier League clubs said to be eyeing the 19-year-old.

Tel could be a strong loan option for Arsenal, here are four ways the Gunners could line up with the teenager in their ranks.

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Four ways Arsenal could line up with Mathys Tel

Arsenal fans want to see Tel arrive at the Emirates due to his versatility across the front line, something that could act as Arteta’s saviour this winter.

Capable of playing across the attack, most prominently on the left and centrally, Tel could bolster where Arsenal are lacking currently and, strengthen even when injured stars return. 

Tel takes Gabriel Martinelli’s spot at left wing 

Gabriel Martinelli has had a difficult season and could be urged to improve with some healthy competition inserted on the left.

Being a left-winger by trade, Tel could arrive at Arsenal and take the Brazilian’s place, giving the Gunners goal threats from the left to mirror Bukayo Saka’s brilliance on the right.

Change formation to suit two strikers (4-4-2)

Another position that Tel is comfortable playing is as a centre-forward, a role that Arsenal are crying out for reinforcements in.

Remarkably, Tel was backed to score 40 goals in a season by former manager Julian Nagelsmann, giving Arteta a motive to field the teen at the spearhead of attack. 

One way of doing such could result in a stark change in formation, unleashing a classic 4-4-2 to play Tel alongside Havertz.

Kai Havertz drops back for Tel to play striker 

Alternatively, Arteta could drop Havertz to play in deeper roles, something that was seen amid Gabriel Jesus’ incredible scoring form prior to his injury.

Havertz could drop into central midfield, where he thrived in the Bundesliga, bringing Tel into the number nine spot and dropping a defensive figure such as Thomas Partey.

Tel plays wide with Ethan Nwaneri in Bukayo Saka’s absence

Right now, the need for a profile like Tel’s is high due to Saka’s injury, as Arsenal lost a lot of goal threat after the Englishman’s hamstring tear in December. 

Without Saka included, Arteta could unleash two teenagers in his front line in Tel and Ethan Nwaneri, which could be electrifying given the prolific nature the young pair are displaying so early into their careers.

There are plenty of options for Arteta to consider when it comes to the possibility of integrating Tel into the Arsenal squad, all thanks to the teenager’s innate versatility.