Mikel Arteta explains how Bukaya Saka’s absence from Arsenal will make him a ‘better manager’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the challenge of coping without him injured wing Bukayo Saka will probably make him a better head coach.
Saka will miss “many weeks” after tearing his hamstring, and reports suggest that he could miss as much as three months as Arsenal try to deal with what is feared to be a recurring injury.
With reserve winger Raheem Sterling also injured in training, Arteta conceded Arsenal may be forced to dive into the transfer market help me cope without Saka.
Asked if this latest challenge could make him a better manager, Arteta told the media: “I think so. We started the season with one of the weakest teams in the Premier League and we knew it.
“If we have the weakest squad, what do we need? We’ve really committed to making sure we can use each player to their best potential, and everyone has to feel part of that.
“You have to rediscover the players in different positions and in different relationships. It’s a really good exercise and the guys are ready to do everything we ask of them, so that’s a very good thing too.”
Arteta has backed a group consisting of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri to help fill the void left by Saka on the pitch, but perhaps the bigger concern could be the loss of creativity that comes with an extended lay-off for the best team creator.
Saka has ten assists in 16 Premier League games to date, many of which have come from corners. No other player has created more than three goals for Arsenal this season.
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