Arsenal: Where is Bukayo Saka’s fresh lease on life under Arteta?

Mikel Arteta’s “clean slate” policy has worked wonders at Arsenal, but unfortunately it has not applied to everyone. Bukayo Saka has been left in the dust, and I’m wondering what’s next for the young winger.

When Mikel Arteta came to Arsenal, his first action was to declare that every player on the team got a clean slate. He gave every man in the squad a chance to prove themselves, and it has payed dividends. Many of the underperforming players have stepped up their game, leading to a recent run of good form. But that chance was not extended to Bukayo Saka.

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Unfortunately, this new lease on life did not apply Saka because the youngster was not given a chance to prove himself at his preferred position, because he has been to play left-back due to the injuries of Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac. Now he’s the backup left-back and the third choice left-winger. Things aren’t looking great.

Much of my concern stems from Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and how his role has adapted at the club. Like Saka, he came up through the club as a forward and midfielder, and like Saka, he plays in a role originally unfamiliar to him. However, there is a difference: Maitland-Niles is a good right back. His play going forward is good, and his composure is a serious asset.

Saka is a different story. While his effort is unquestionable, and his speed enough to match the fastest forwards in the league, he can’t actually defend too well. Much of his success on the left has come because he and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang have been able to press as a unit, closing down opponents with their pace before they can be tested defensively. And when Saka has been tested, he’s often been beaten.

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Both of the goals against Chelsea came off the left, the second one especially poor, as it was a breakaway along that flank. Despite his diligent tracking of Willian, he was absolutely knackered by the Brazilian’s constant movement and trickery. He was hit-or-miss against Bournemouth, decent at best against Everton, and showed great flashes getting forward against Standard Liège, but was still exposed at the back.

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You can’t fault the lad for his effort, but at the end of the day, he’s a winger. And his confidence going forward has been poor of late. Being played out of position is never easy, so the hit to Saka’s confidence is unsurprising but still unfortunate. When he’s gotten opportunities, he’s found very little joy, and those opportunities are fading fast as Kolasinac regains full fitness.

With the return of Gabriel Martinelli, and Aubameyang as the first-choice left winger in the league, it may be late February when Saka is able to find consistent game time again, with the return of the Europa League. He is only 19, but he has gone from a consistent starter to a rotation player, and is in danger of sliding farther into the background.

So what do we do? He’s an incredibly useful player to have, especially considering Kieran Tierney won’t be back until March, but I don’t think that is the best use of Saka’s talent. His situation is a little like Jadon Sancho’s, when the then-17-year-old was struggling for game time as a perennial backup, and so chose a loan move to Dortmund to keep playing time. A similar move might be prudent.

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Arsenal’s loans have often operated with mixed success, but I think Saka is an exceptional enough talent that he can make it work. Like Emile Smith-Rowe, who will be spending the rest of the season at Huddersfield, Saka may not find many more opportunities this year. I say we trust in the three other wingers we have, and see if we can’t get Saka a six-month lease on life outside the Emirates.

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