Arsenal: 7 Martin Odegaard transfer alternatives

6. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

Cheating! Yes, kind of.

Everyone knows how magnificent Bukayo Saka is. He’s just wonderful. Arsenal’s star boy. And, he’s also got all the attributes to be a No. 10 further down the line.

As it stands, Saka’s best position is out on the right. An argument can be made for him being just as strong from the left as Kieran Tierney brings the best out of most, but he’s found his inverted groove on that flank.

Moving Saka into central role where he can drift into the left and right half-spaces would open up his abilities as a force in transition, build-up and final third cutting edge. In doing so, Nicolas Pepe could assume the right-winger role he arguably deserves and Emile Smith Rowe can interchange with Saka throughout.

Would Arsenal still need to sign another No. 10 if Saka is moved to that position permanently? It wouldn’t work out quite so smoothly, unfortunately, despite the 19-year-old possessing all the traits to fulfill that role. Having both him and Smith Rowe on the pitch is what supporters, and Arteta, will want.

Arguably Arsenal’s two best players last season, sharing the workload for Smith Rowe is the reason for securing another playmaker and if the two rotate the position it doesn’t solve a great deal since Saka will just have to play even more games. We want them both on the pitch.

However, it’s an option to look at more closely given Pepe’s blistering form on the right and Saka’s impressive outings – no matter how small the sample size is – in central pockets. He can certainly develop into that role in the future and more dabbles with the position next season could come into effect.