legend Martin Keown says Mikel Arteta believes Bukayo Saka is better suited to filling in at left-back for Kieran Tierney than either Nuno Tavares or Granit Xhaka.
The Gunners learned earlier this week that their first choice left-back Kieran Tierney will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Understudy was expected to deputise for Tierney, however, the Portuguese’s disappointing display at on Monday night has many questioning his ability to provide cover.
Ex-Premier League winner Keown thinks Arteta must look beyond the erratic Tavares and believes Saka, with his past experience in the role, is the best option available to him.
Speaking on , he said: ‘Well, he (Tavares) probably isn’t (good enough). But if that was your boy out there, taken off after 25 minutes against (Nottingham) Forest. I would never have seen Wenger do that. He would have waited for the second half. This week he was taken off at half-time.
‘We – Arsenal – have to find a solution to the left-back problem. I would like to see Saka go to left-back. I know that’s radical but I’d rather see that than (Granit) Xhaka there who will get exposed.
‘It’s about your best 11. I think Saka can still do damage from left-back. (Nicolas) Pepe would go to the right and (Gabriel) Martinelli on the left. If you’ve got an issue with a player to such an extent that mistakes are being made down that side, then you can’t play him (Tavares).
‘But I don’t think Xhaka is the answer. He certainly isn’t. They’ll be setting teams out to exploit that weakness. It won’t be long before Xhaka is off the pitch and Arsenal are down to 10 men again. Play Saka there.’
Saka has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season and Arteta will not want to lose his threat in the final third.
In 29 league matches, the 20-year-old has hit the back of the net nine times and has made five assists in a team which has found goals hard to come by.
The struggles Arsenal are having in replacing Tierney has exposed the depth of their squad and the lack of quality players beyond the starting XI.
And Keown hopes key injuries at the wrong time don’t damage Arsenal’s bid to qualify for the Champions League.
‘Well, of course, the squad is bare,’ he added. ‘We’ve always known that. The 11 (players) that make it to the pitch can do a job. Whether it can make the top four, I did actually say that Tottenham were favourites for the top four when beat (Aston) Villa.
‘That hasn’t really changed for me. Not because I’m not an Arsenal fan – of course I am – but you have to be realistic.
‘That doesn’t mean Arsenal are not going to finish in the top four but this weekend you’ve got to bounce back against Brighton.’
Arsenal, who have also lost Thomas Partey to injury, face Brighton on Saturday afternoon looking to keep the heat on rivals Tottenham in the race for a top four place.
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