Bukayo Saka says he wants to play as a winger.
Arsenal wonderkid Bukayo Saka has been one of the biggest positives for the club this season with his remarkable development as a first-team regular – and in a new position too.
The talented 18-year-old had long caught the eye in our academy, but looked much more like an up-and-coming star as a winger or attacking midfielder.
Still, Saka has made the impressive transition to playing left-back under Mikel Arteta, and it seems like a role that’s really got the best out of him.
In the modern game, the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson at Liverpool have shown that full-backs can be key attacking players, and Saka seems to fit that mould perfectly.
The England youth international recently got forward to score a fine goal in the FA Cup win over Bournemouth, and dazzled us with his latest piece of skill to set up Nicolas Pepe’s goal against Newcastle on Sunday.
Still, the player himself admits that, while he’s happy to play where Arteta wants him, he remains keen on making it as a winger.
“I’m really enjoying my football under the new manager. It’s not my natural position but he’s given me all the advice I need,” Saka told Sky Sports.
“I’ve got Granit (Xhaka) behind, David (Luiz) supporting and speaking to me so it gives me licence to go and express myself in the final third and do what I can do.
“I feel like my dream was always to be a winger, to affect games, score goals and get assists. For now I’ll do the job the manager asks me to.”
Definitely Saka is best suited on the wings, which I am sure MA will agree and the moment KT and Kola are fit enough and rearing to go, Saka will play on the wings.
Saka don’t worry, just wait Kola and KT to be fit, then you will be played back to your preferred position. But remember that you will not get as many matches as you wish.
When Tierney is back he will back playing as a winger, he might not realise it now but playing as a left back will make him a better winger for sure,he,d have learnt how full backs position themselves,he will also be better at tracking back and his all around game!
You may be right but two things need to be considered. Is Tierney better than Saka at left back? Is Saka better than Auba at left attacker? If the answer to both is yes then we have a tasty left side. I personally think that at least this season, not too much will change with Sako and Auba. Plus Tierney needs to get fit first and actually play games, something he hasn’t done yet. Plus Arteta didn’t get him in so he may not fancy him. A lot to be considered first i feel.
Why is wilock on the title screen🤷🤷 Got me confused their.Any ways saka is quite a talent playing at left back will benefit him in the long run as wingers are required to track back.
Maybe the focus is more on Arteta then Saka with this dilemma 🤷🏽♂️
I think Saka can be a modern day wing player. In wing back games his natural position will be winger with Xhaka currently sitting in covering so that the winger (martinelli/auba) tucks in as a forward.
As a winger he can be free to run forwards and backwards with authority to do something.
Top assist this year for us.
Arteta already saying he is taking responsibility when in key areas.
He just needs to continue. Contracts and all that is silly because he will want to play with his mates at arsenal. This is why liverpool or whoever cant really get him. Seriously not happening. He will sign for arsenal and go on and make himself a top young talent.
Talking of top young talent. Hows there no article on Robbie Burtons leaving arsenal for permanent?
I just hope he proves himself because I have no doubt arsenal will bring him back.
Another welshman destined for the top of the game.
So far Saka has played his best game at LB. As a winger he may not be given enough game time. It’s good he is developing as Left Back.