Sport nationOPINIONMikel Arteta has perfect Bukayo Saka backup if Arsenal star injured for Man City clash
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka may be sidelined against Manchester City due to a knee injury sustained against RC Lens on Tuesday evening
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Bukayo Saka during an Arsenal match.
Mikel Arteta has perfect Bukayo Saka backup if Arsenal star injured for Man City. (Image: Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been through the wars lately. The England international has featured in the Gunners’ last 87 Premier League fixtures, a club record.
But the 22-year-old has been playing through various injuries in recent times, picking up minor knocks during matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth before he was forced off the pitch during his side’s 2-1 defeat against RC Lens on Tuesday evening. Saka appeared to be holding his hamstring as he limped off the field in France, with questions remaining regarding his fitness status ahead of Sunday’s clash against Manchester City.
But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta then claimed on Friday that the Hale End academy graduate was in contention to face the Citizens. “He’s in contention, let’s see how he progresses from here to Sunday,” the Spaniard responded when asked about the young winger.
“He had to leave the pitch, that’s never good news but let’s see how he recovers.” It remains to be seen whether or not Arteta is up to his usual mind games but if Saka doesn’t pass a late fitness test for this weekend’s game, the Gunners still have a more than adequate backup for the talented youngster.
The likes of Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson have both been deployed from the right wing in Saka’s absence but it is actually Gabriel Jesus who can boast the best pedigree in terms of previous performances from the right flank. During his final season at City, Jesus was regularly deployed as a right-winger by Pep Guardiola, who has consistently been adamant of the Brazilian’s quality from that side.
“The best moments as a manager are when you can work with people like Gabriel,” Guardiola said back in 2021. “He never complains. If he gets five minutes he plays the best five minutes he can do.
“Never a bad face. He respects his mates and my decisions.
“Play right he’s happy, play centre he’s happy, play left he’s happy. Today, the connection with Kyle (Walker) was exceptional and I’m more than pleased for the performance he has played.
“He’s an incredibly important player for us. Big congratulations to Gabriel because he deserves the best in life. He is so generous.”
Former Brazil boss Tite deployed Jesus on the right flank during the 2019 Copa America, with the versatile attacker scoring and assisting in both the semi-final and final against Argentina and Peru respectively. One of his best performances in a City shirt also came from the right-hand side when Guardiola’s men took on Liverpool at the Etihad back in April 2022.
Gabriel Jesus makes an intelligent run against Liverpool.
Jesus worked tirelessly in the press, was dangerous in one-versus-one situations against Reds left-back Andy Robertson and held the ball up well in transition. The 26-year-old also made intelligent runs – including his clever movement for the goal he scored that day.
Gabriel Jesus showcases his elite attacking movement in the build-up to a goal against Liverpool.
Guardiola previously theorised that Jesus’ performances on the wing may suit him because of his body shape with the ball at his feet. “Some players, when they get the ball in wider positions, their body shape is more open and they have more time to make the right decisions,” the former Barcelona head coach said two years ago.
“When you play in a central position it is the most difficult position to play football. You receive the ball and there are more (defenders). It is more difficult.
“Gabriel is a little bit better playing a little bit wider but Sergio (Aguero) was injured for one year and a half, so we had to use Gabriel – we didn’t have many alternatives in that position.”
OPINIONMikel Arteta has perfect Bukayo Saka backup if Arsenal star injured for Man City clash
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka may be sidelined against Manchester City due to a knee injury sustained against RC Lens on Tuesday evening
footballlondon
SHARE
Bookmark
Bukayo Saka during an Arsenal match.
Mikel Arteta has perfect Bukayo Saka backup if Arsenal star injured for Man City. (Image: Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been through the wars lately. The England international has featured in the Gunners’ last 87 Premier League fixtures, a club record.
But the 22-year-old has been playing through various injuries in recent times, picking up minor knocks during matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth before he was forced off the pitch during his side’s 2-1 defeat against RC Lens on Tuesday evening. Saka appeared to be holding his hamstring as he limped off the field in France, with questions remaining regarding his fitness status ahead of Sunday’s clash against Manchester City.
But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta then claimed on Friday that the Hale End academy graduate was in contention to face the Citizens. “He’s in contention, let’s see how he progresses from here to Sunday,” the Spaniard responded when asked about the young winger.
“He had to leave the pitch, that’s never good news but let’s see how he recovers.” It remains to be seen whether or not Arteta is up to his usual mind games but if Saka doesn’t pass a late fitness test for this weekend’s game, the Gunners still have a more than adequate backup for the talented youngster.
The likes of Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson have both been deployed from the right wing in Saka’s absence but it is actually Gabriel Jesus who can boast the best pedigree in terms of previous performances from the right flank. During his final season at City, Jesus was regularly deployed as a right-winger by Pep Guardiola, who has consistently been adamant of the Brazilian’s quality from that side.
“The best moments as a manager are when you can work with people like Gabriel,” Guardiola said back in 2021. “He never complains. If he gets five minutes he plays the best five minutes he can do.
“Never a bad face. He respects his mates and my decisions.
“Play right he’s happy, play centre he’s happy, play left he’s happy. Today, the connection with Kyle (Walker) was exceptional and I’m more than pleased for the performance he has played.
“He’s an incredibly important player for us. Big congratulations to Gabriel because he deserves the best in life. He is so generous.”
Former Brazil boss Tite deployed Jesus on the right flank during the 2019 Copa America, with the versatile attacker scoring and assisting in both the semi-final and final against Argentina and Peru respectively. One of his best performances in a City shirt also came from the right-hand side when Guardiola’s men took on Liverpool at the Etihad back in April 2022.
Gabriel Jesus makes an intelligent run against Liverpool.
Jesus worked tirelessly in the press, was dangerous in one-versus-one situations against Reds left-back Andy Robertson and held the ball up well in transition. The 26-year-old also made intelligent runs – including his clever movement for the goal he scored that day.
Gabriel Jesus showcases his elite attacking movement in the build-up to a goal against Liverpool.
Guardiola previously theorised that Jesus’ performances on the wing may suit him because of his body shape with the ball at his feet. “Some players, when they get the ball in wider positions, their body shape is more open and they have more time to make the right decisions,” the former Barcelona head coach said two years ago.
“When you play in a central position it is the most difficult position to play football. You receive the ball and there are more (defenders). It is more difficult.
“Gabriel is a little bit better playing a little bit wider but Sergio (Aguero) was injured for one year and a half, so we had to use Gabriel – we didn’t have many alternatives in that position.”
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