Why Mikel Arteta should consider resting Bukayo Saka in FA Cup clash v Liverpool

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Mikel Arteta should consider resting Bukayo Saka for their FA Cup clash against Liverpool this evening.

Bukayo Saka is arguably one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet given the output he provides down the right flank.

In 26 matches in all competitions this term, he’s scored nine goals and supplied 12 assists – the most goal contributions of any player in the Arsenal squad.

Hailed by Micah Richards for the qualities he brings to the Gunners, Saka has made himself undroppable, however, the 22-year-old has shown signs of declining in form.

His strike in the defeat against Fulham on Sunday was his first goal or assist in nine games – a run that has seen Arsenal lose three times and draw once.

While it wasn’t a terrible drought, it was by far the longest he’d gone without posting a single goal contribution this season.

Described as ‘woeful’ by one Gunners supporter in that poor display at Craven Cottage, Arteta could consider dropping Saka for their FA Cup clash against Liverpool this evening.

With a winter break giving Arsenal a 13-day break before their next match, now feels like an ideal time to give the Englishman some extended time off.

Of course, It might hurt them in the short term but in the long run, it could benefit them as getting Saka back to his best should be a priority for Arteta.

Who would replace Bukayo Saka v Liverpool?

Ahead of this clash, it is expected that Liverpool could rotate with a league cup semi-final to think about just three days later.

Arteta has already hinted at the possibility of making changes to his side and one of those could be to give Saka a rest.

Although it’s highly unlikely given how difficult the fixture is, this could be an opportunity for a few of their players to make a rare start.

Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe, in particular, are two players who are vying for a spot in the team.

While Smith Rowe hasn’t started a game since he hurt his knee in November’s 5-0 win over Sheffield United, Nelson hasn’t started a Premier League game since ‘Project Restart’ following the Covid pandemic.

In the Champions League victory over PSV last month, Nelson was Arteta’s star man and that performance – as well as several others – perhaps warrants a starting place.

Whether the Spaniard is bold enough to take that risk remains to be seen, but it’s plainly obvious that he needs to give Saka a rest sooner rather than later.