Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta acknowledged the challenge of coping without him injured Winger Bukayo Saka would likely make him a better coach.
Saka is set to missMany weeks“After suffering a hamstring tear, with reports indicating that… He could miss up to three months As Arsenal seeks to manage what is feared to be a recurring injury.
With reserve winger Raheem Sterling also suffering an injury in training, Arteta admitted Arsenal may be forced to enter the transfer market To help cope without Saka.
Asked if this latest challenge could make him a better coach, Arteta told the media: “I think so, yes. We started the season with one of the thinnest teams in the Premier League, and we knew that.”
“If we have the smallest squad, what do we need? We've really taken care of that to make sure we're making the best possible use of every player, and everyone should feel part of that.”
“You need to rediscover players in different positions, different relationships. It's really good training and the boys are willing to do anything we ask them to do, so that's a really good thing as well.”
Arteta has backed the group of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri to help fill the void Saka left behind on the pitch, but perhaps the biggest concern is the loss of creativity that comes with an extended-off status for the team's best constructor.
Saka has ten assists in 16 Premier League matches so far, many of which have come from corner kicks. No other player has made more than three goals Arsenal This season.