According to James Benge of Football.London, Arsenal are still in discussion with Bukayo Saka regarding a potential contract extension. The Gunners are hopeful of keeping hold of the youngster in the future, but nothing has materialised so far. Moreover, Borussia Dortmund are reportedly interested in the services of Saka, having kept an eye on him for a long time.
The answer to Arsenal’s left-back problems
Saka’s presence in the team has been critical in helping Mikel Arteta deal with a host of issues in the left-back department. The Gunners initially brought in Kieran Tierney in the summer to provide more competition to the injury-prone Sead Kolasinac.
But while Kolasinac’s injury problems have not improved, Tierney, himself, has remained out on the sidelines due to his own set of injuries. Indeed, his hip problem last summer kept him out for three months. He returned in September before a shoulder injury once again sidelined him.
That’s where Saka’s contributions have been priceless. In the absence of both Kolasinac and Tierney and the departure of Monreal, the youngster has slotted into the left-back role. And he has frankly done an excellent job, although his lack of defensive astuteness has been called into question, at times.
Versatile and compatible
What makes Saka such an appealing player for Arsenal is his versatility. As mentioned earlier, the youngster has made himself a reliable option at left-back. But, he can also feature in his preferred left-wing slot as well as a wing-back. His ability to cover the entire left flank provides Arteta with a host of tactical options at his disposal.
Speaking of Arteta, his Juego de posicion inspired style of football is ideally suited to Saka’s overall gameplay. Tricky and fast, the 18-year-old is excellent when it comes to operating in tight spaces. That means he can not only act as a ball-carrier but can also rotate possession at a quick-rate.
Indeed, Saka has attempted 2.7 tackles per game with a success rate of 66% this season. He has also attained a pass completion rate of 81%, which is pretty impressive for any wide player, especially in the Premier League. Hence, Saka is undoubtedly compatible with Arteta’s tactical setup.
One for the future
Last but not least, Saka is undoubtedly a talented individual who still has a lot to improve upon. But, at the age of just 18, he has time on his side. And given how well he has responded at the highest level of football, we can only expect the youngster to get better and better as he starts gaining more experience.
And in time, the wide player could potentially become one of Arsenal’s biggest assets. Therefore, the Gunners simply cannot afford to let go of Saka in the summer transfer window, and a contract extension should remain the utmost priority as the club looks to usher in a new era under Arteta.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
