Arsenal: Time to find out what Bukayo Saka is made of

Sead Kolasinac is out to until February with Kieran Tierney still recovering from a dislocated shoulder. With no fit left-backs in the Arsenal squad, it is time to find what Bukayo Saka is made of.

Kieran Tierney arrived at Arsenal with a sports hernia injury. Within a month of his full return to match fitness, he dislocated his shoulder. He will now be on the sidelines until March, unlikely to feature in a competitive game until April.

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Meanwhile, Sead Kolasinac has suffered with his injury issues, first an ankle problem caused in the same game Tierney dislocated his shoulder in, a December win over West Ham United, and is now set for another period on the sideline with a left thigh strain, the Gunners confirming that he would not be fit until after the February winter break in early February.

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Both Tierney and Kolasinac missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. It left head coach Mikel Arteta with no fit left-back to use. Arteta, then, turned to 18-year-old Bukayo Saka, as he did earlier in the season, most notably in a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in which Saka was extremely impressive.

On Saturday, Saka again impressed, performing admirably despite his discomfort with the position. He was helped by Arteta’s adapting of the left-back position, which involves pushing high up the pitch when in possession, almost playing like a traditional left-winger, but he also acquitted himself defensively, which is certainly not what the young attacker is used to.

After the match, Arteta discussed the long-term future of Saka, suggesting that the teenager could yet develop into a natural left-back:

"“I think he could (have a future at left-back) because he’s willing to learn, he is applying himself big time he is someone that’s has never played (that position) before but he’s really trying to do it as well as possible. You can see that he’s got many strengths to play in that position. Obviously he needs games, he needs experience and he needs to improve in some areas but that’s very good.”"

Saka himself might not be too pleased with this assessment. A little like Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the opposite side, I am sure he believes that he is a winger, not a full-back. But with Kolasinac now pushed to the sidelines for the next couple of weeks, including for Tuesday’s trip to Chelsea, we will certainly get to see what Saka is truly made of as Arsenal and Arteta lean on him.

One thing that is quite clear is his talent. Exceptionally quick, calm and composed on the ball, a lovely left foot, as evidenced by his pinpoint cross for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal, smart decision-making and creative vision, Saka has plenty of tools to work with. But does he have the mental resolve, perserverance and consistency to become a productive first-team contributor?

Thtat will be answered in the coming weeks. Arsenal need Saka to step up to the plate. And in doing so, they will quickly learn what he is truly is made of.