With Arteta having already completed the business of bringing in Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice, as well as the admission that players like Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney are staying, there is one position that has many worried. This is the attacking position. Arteta, like he has done for the defence and midfield, is expected to bolster it as well. Although signing a superstriker is something Gooners would love, it appears that deal will be done next year. This summer, Arteta appears to be focused on bringing on a trustworthy backup for Bukayo Saka.
Saka was a hit last season, putting up his best stats in an Arsenal shirt last summer, but he could have done even more if he hadn’t been “overused.” Last season, the Hale End Graduate played too much; he played every Arsenal game but a Carabao Cup match against Brighton, and notably, he also played a significant role for England in the World Cup. Fatigue had set in at the end of last season, and the Arsenal No. 7 couldn’t produce at the level he had at the start of the season. Saka should be rested once in a while next season, which means he needs to have a reliable backup.
It’s still unclear who is signed as Saka’s backup, which begs the question, “What if a backup for Saka isn’t signed?” How will Arteta lighten Saka’s load on the right wing? He could use Gabriel Jesus in the wings. The Brazilian back in 2021 admitted he also enjoyed the fact that Guardiola trusts him for his wings.
“I feel comfortable out wide and can help my teammates and my team,” he told City Magazine. “I can make runs in behind, control the ball, make passes, make crosses, help in defending. As I say, I feel comfortable there.
“I didn’t start to play as a winger just this season. I have played with the national team there for two years. I started to play in the first team of Palmeiras as a winger as well, and I played sometimes when I arrived here as a winger as well. So I think I’m okay there.”
The possibility of Jesus playing on the right wing (where at City he played 19 times) on a regular basis adds another aspect to Arsenal’s attack; it means Nketiah will have more chances as the striker, and it may also allow Havertz the opportunity to play the false nine role on occasion.
Is Arteta planing to swap positions around more often this season with his bigger squsad?
Daniel O
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Apart from Jesus,Nelson and Trossard are entirely comfortable on their natural right flank and ESR and Martinelli (both natural right footers) are adaptable talents who can operate in virtually any attacking position.If push came to shove we have “inverted” species like Marquinhos and Vieira who again can play RW.By my calculations with 7 potential back ups for Saka, why are some fans demanding the acquisition of another?
Grandad please stop asking good questions 🤣
Those options are considered not very reliable at times so there is need for a saka type player to come in that is why Arteta wanted Raphina before he joined Barca.
And that player will cost so much but sit on the bench most times except God forbid Saka injures?
So why would we give Nelson a new contract? If he’s not reliable, we should have let him go, but i think this shows at least arteta thinks he’s reliable enough.
And if he fails, I can’t imagine anyone thinks trossard is unreliable. Think he’s unlucky to not have started more games last season.
I wonder who considered them “not very reliable at times “.
Anyway, which player in our team was very reliable at all times last season?
And if Trossard is not reliable, then I better go check out the meaning of the word “reliable “.
Which of those options are viewed at being not very reliable?? Apart from Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira, we have 5 back ups that can be in our starting 11 on any occasion. And if you are talking about those two then that is a very weak argument.
Love Eddie and have watched him since he started getting 1st team opportunities a few seasons back but to rely on him worries me….he’s had plenty of chances but unfortunately think he is simply not good enough….hope I am proved wrong but don’t see it…personally would like to see a different profile of forward…
I agree with you here.
I really find it hard to trust nketiah, he’s just not at the level right now. I even kinda prefer Balogun
Eddy better than Balogun forget what he did in the farmers league ….
We sold lacazette and got Jesus ,is lacazette better based on last seasons output❓
Shir I’m sure trossard was signed for that reason..
Why is it that Arsenal boss believed in Nkekia so much at the expense of Folarin Balogun?
Nketia is not a clinical finisher, imagine in Folarin on the bench against Man Utd, Nketia top striking and couldn’t make much impact, most times, very selfish with the ball.
The coach should give Balogun a chance, what other coaches are see ing in him, I wonder why Mikel is not seeing that.
Very true I don’t like Nketiah he usually loses 5 chances and score one after struggling
Think it’s the Willan Syndrome. Currently Nketiah and Vieira are enjoying the symptoms with their playing time in spite of never being convincing when they play.
Nketi is a better team player that Flo.
Comparing both is like comparing EPL and Ligue 1. If PSG was at EPL last season, I wouldn’t see them make top 4. We saw flashes of Flo before his loan spell.
Nketi understand Arteta’s pattern.
What should be done is to sell Flo with a buy-back clause
What the f..? Last time we played Man Utd in the league Nketia scored for us twice and scored the winning goal. Nketia IS a clinical finisher and as a poacher has shown a great deal of times where he’s dropped deep to support play and is often dropping back to support defense. We need a player that is selfish on the ball as we have so many selfless players. What has Flo proven in Asrenal colours that make you think he is the answer? And what has Flo done that has made you think he is not selfish? Flos attitude to the club is a disappointment and he has said that he doesn’t want to be at the club it he is not no. 1 striker.
Remember, all of them were in the squad in the second half of last season but almost never used in that position. Saka burned out at the end & we lost the title!!!