By Martin Graham
Mikel Arteta has become accustomed to late changes this season, with players withdrawn during the pre-kick-off warm-up.
when Riccardo Calafiori he was forced to leave early Arsenal’s meeting Wigan on Sunday marked the third time this campaign that the Gunners have had to reshuffle plans at the last minute.
Unlike previous instances against Brighton and Leeds, when Arteta opted for direct substitutions in the same positions, this time he rearranged the structure of his team.
Myles Lewis-Skellyinitially planned to start in the middle of the field, he moved to the left side, while Bukayo Saka — continuing his return from a hip problem — deployed centrally in a No.10 role.
The adjustment was influenced by the shortage of midfielders. captain Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertzi Mikel Merino are sidelined with injury, and Ethan Nwaneri is currently on loan at Marseille.
The central influence of Saka
This was not unfamiliar territory for Saka under Arteta. During the 2020 lockdown campaign, he played in midfield against Brighton in a 2–1 defeat, hitting the crossbar from distance and setting up a goal for Nicolas Pepe.
Widely regarded as one of the game’s premier players, the 24-year-old has seen a dip in production compared to expectations this season, but still has seven goals and seven assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.
Operating through the middle against Wigan, Saka demonstrated his ability to maneuver in congested areas, retaining possession despite the attention of opponents.
He often dropped further to collect the ball and rotated positions with Noni Madueke on the right flank. Arsenal’s third goal originated with Saka’s delivery after some effective interplay between the pair.
Shooting options
Using Saka centrally could also create space for 16-year-old Max Dowman, allowing Arteta to include both players in the same starting XI.
Madueke’s recent displays have reinforced the case for tactical flexibility. He has recorded three goals and one assist in his last five outings.
With Wolves next Wednesday and midfield resources stretched, there is a chance Saka will continue in the central forward position.
Arteta has indicated that the experiment may not be a unique one. “That’s a possibility, and I wanted to test it, and we might use it in the future,” he said.
“There are still many games, competitions and different stages to play in this season, and this is a possibility that we have.”
