Mikel Arteta simply must start 23-year-old if Arsenal star cannot play on Sunday

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Arsenal are nervously awaiting news on whether Bukayo Saka will be fit to face Manchester City on Sunday, and need to consider alternative options if he does not recover from his injury in time.

Saka was withdrawn in the first half of Arsenal’s defeat to RC Lens with a suspected muscle injury, and he underwent medical tests today to examine the extent of the damage.

He has been included in the England squad for the international break next week, perhaps indicating that he will be able to play in the crucial match against the Champions, but if he is not, then Mikel Arteta has a number of options to pick from.

Fabio Vieira was selected to replace him in the Lens match, with poor results as Arsenal struggled from a lack of pace in attack, with Gabriel Martinelli also injured.

With this in mind, Arteta needs to pick Reiss Nelson if Saka is injured.

Nelson should replace Saka

The 23-year-old has been lively in all of his appearances this season, but has started just once, as he scored the winner against Brentford in the Carabao Cup.

He can play on both wings, and could provide more balance in the lineup if Leandro Trossard is selected on the opposite side.

Gabriel Jesus has played out wide with Eddie Nketiah through the middle, but this has created an unbalanced attack, and Nelson can rectify that.

The Englishman is perhaps the speediest direct dribbler of all of these options, and can be both a pacey outlet as well as a wide option who can contribute in build-up.

Nelson can solve creative issue

Arsenal currently rank 12th in the league for big chances created, and the lack of pace and directness was on full display against Lens, with Trossard and Vieira both struggling to make an impact.

Nelson’s cameo saw him create a chance for himself, and injected pace and more urgency into Arsenal’s play, which was otherwise lacking.

This speed could be useful on the counter against Man City, and could help Arsenal create more chances, with the Gunners becoming somewhat predictable in attack without Martinelli’s explosiveness.