Bukayo Saka: 2019/20 Performances

[Maybe]

Don't see Saka as a wide forward. As an orthodox left winger or left back, I think he'd be electric. He's got great close control and can drive from deep.

I really like the idea of Fraser coming in as Saka, Nelson can play as orthodox wingers. Whereas, Martinelli and Pepe seem to be genuine wide forwards.

I'd love to go two up top for some home games with two wingers.

He is 18 and it's hard to tell at this point how his body will develop and what opportunities will arise. He looks more effective coming from the back when our forwards distract defenders and he is already at his full speed when defenders spot his run. When he plays wide forward his initial speed is not enough to give him that advantage, but with time he could develop better dribbling skills to go past defenders more effectively.
The only important thing for him now is that he plays and doesn't get dropped because he is 18-19, like what happened to Martinelli.

 

[MutableEarth]

Saka's end product suggests that wide forward is still a significant possibility for him in the future. There's a lot we can do with him and he's malleable enough to be versatile in that regard. He is dangerous all along that left flank.

 

[scytheavatar]

Don't see Saka as a wide forward. As an orthodox left winger or left back, I think he'd be electric. He's got great close control and can drive from deep.

I really like the idea of Fraser coming in as Saka, Nelson can play as orthodox wingers. Whereas, Martinelli and Pepe seem to be genuine wide forwards.

I'd love to go two up top for some home games with two wingers.

What is an orthodox winger? Why do we need an "orthodox winger"? If Saka wants to be an orthodox winger then he needs to be a left back. Cause the modern day winger is the either the "wide forward" or a playmaking winger who can double as an attacking mid. Width is provided mostly by the full backs in modern football.

 

[truth_hurts]

What is an orthodox winger? Why do we need an "orthodox winger"? If Saka wants to be an orthodox winger then he needs to be a left back. Cause the modern day winger is the either the "wide forward" or a playmaking winger who can double as an attacking mid. Width is provided mostly by the full backs in modern football.

Leicester City win the league with 2 orthodox wingers. 4-4-2 doesn't have to be dead.

I'd like to see us play 2 strikers from time to time without committing to 5 defenders.

 

[scytheavatar]

Leicester City win the league with 2 orthodox wingers. 4-4-2 doesn't have to be dead.

I'd like to see us play 2 strikers from time to time without committing to 5 defenders.

We already have a weak midfield that gets bullied too easily, you want us to have even less control by playing 2 strikers?

 

[truth_hurts]

We already have a weak midfield that gets bullied too easily, you want us to have even less control by playing 2 strikers?

No, I just want you to look at this objectively. The claim that most teams get their width from their full backs is not an absolute. Liverpool do, Man City did not. We could go down the league and find out it's about half and half.

You then create a false dichotomy of 3 midfielders and more control or 2 midfielders and less. Yes, granted, an extra body in midfield should help to dominate. But do you honestly feel a hard working and industrious midfield 4 of let's say Saka, Partey, Torreria and Fraser/Nelson/AMN would offer less than a midfield 5 of Xhaka, Guendouzi, Özil, Pepe and Auba in terms of dominating a midfield?

The other way of looking at it would be that we'd actually have 4 in midfield instead of 3.

Saka playing at LB generally has meant Xhaka plays more like a 3rd cb when we attack anyway, so we lose a midfielder anyway.

I think you've answered already, but do you see Saka developing into a wide forward? I don't personally. It's a lazy comparison, but I'd see him as more of a Tomas Lemar as a left sided player who operates best from deep.

 

[Tourbillion]

No, I just want you to look at this objectively. The claim that most teams get their width from their full backs is not an absolute. Liverpool do, Man City did not. We could go down the league and find out it's about half and half.

You then create a false dichotomy of 3 midfielders and more control or 2 midfielders and less. Yes, granted, an extra body in midfield should help to dominate. But do you honestly feel a hard working and industrious midfield 4 of let's say Saka, Partey, Torreria and Fraser/Nelson/AMN would offer less than a midfield 5 of Xhaka, Guendouzi, Özil, Pepe and Auba in terms of dominating a midfield?

The other way of looking at it would be that we'd actually have 4 in midfield instead of 3.

Saka playing at LB generally has meant Xhaka plays more like a 3rd cb when we attack anyway, so we lose a midfielder anyway.

I think you've answered already, but do you see Saka developing into a wide forward? I don't personally. It's a lazy comparison, but I'd see him as more of a Tomas Lemar as a left sided player who operates best from deep.

Good post. I'd love to go back to a flat 4 in the middle. Don't think it'd suit Pepe though, more like Saka and Nelson/Niles.

 

[truth_hurts]

Good post. I'd love to go back to a flat 4 in the middle. Don't think it'd suit Pepe though, more like Saka and Nelson/Niles.

I'd still like to see Pepe playing closer to the striker where possible. His first start vs Liverpool at Anfield was electric.

Auba, Laca, Martinelli, Pepe and Nketiah as front 2 options is pretty electric.

Realistically though, Arteta won't deviate from 3 up front, but maybe there could be flexibility where one wide player drops back or tucks in.

It will be very interesting to see the role that Saka plays next season after he signs this bloody contract!

 

[Aussie_gunner123]

I'd put Tierney (when fit) back as the main LB next season with Saka taking the fill in role for the cup games & playing further forward coming off the bench later in the game, he could very well be a major influence when players are starting to get rather tired. He can slot in centrally a little bit aswell with his dribbling I'd say. I just hope he doesn't expect to be a major starter every game & leave if he can't get to be one.

 

[truth_hurts]

I'd put Tierney (when fit) back as the main LB next season with Saka taking the fill in role for the cup games & playing further forward coming off the bench later in the game, he could very well be a major influence when players are starting to get rather tired. He can slot in centrally a little bit aswell with his dribbling I'd say. I just hope he doesn't expect to be a major starter every game & leave if he can't get to be one.

Completely agree. I'd much rather the specialist in Tierney playing at full back then the makeshift (although high performing) defender.

 

[14Henry]

I'd put Tierney (when fit) back as the main LB next season with Saka taking the fill in role for the cup games & playing further forward coming off the bench later in the game, he could very well be a major influence when players are starting to get rather tired. He can slot in centrally a little bit aswell with his dribbling I'd say. I just hope he doesn't expect to be a major starter every game & leave if he can't get to be one.

I would argue that if Saka has that conversation with Arteta and Arteta indicates that Tierney will be first choice left back and that Saka may be coming off from the bench and maybe rotated with Martinelli/Auba if he stays or a number of other players on a wide left role he may just say you know what. I wont be signing no deal.

Why? Because he could go to a number of clubs around Arsenal level. Get more game time, the same money, and possibly the chance to win more. We dont even have a history of developing and nurturing young players and making them great over the last 10-15 years. All the opposite actually.

Saka is holding all the cards and unless he hears everything he wants (which is often unrealistic) he may well move.

 

[Aussie_gunner123]

Completely agree. I'd much rather the specialist in Tierney playing at full back then the makeshift (although high performing) defender.

Unfortunately there is always going to be a downside to every player, Tierney I feel is going to be rather injury prone but on his up side, he's been good at overlapping further forward & been putting in pin point crosses which will be rather handy. It does help aswell Tierney has got the experience playing there so he'd be more likely to know at this stage what needs to be done in that role in particular.

 

[Aussie_gunner123]

I would argue that if Saka has that conversation with Arteta and Arteta indicates that Tierney will be first choice left back and that Saka may be coming off from the bench and maybe rotated with Martinelli/Auba if he stays or a number of other players on a wide left role he may just say you know what. I wont be signing no deal.

Why? Because he could go to a number of clubs around Arsenal level. Get more game time, the same money, and possibly the chance to win more. We dont even have a history of developing and nurturing young players and making them great over the last 10-15 years. All the opposite actually.

Saka is holding all the cards and unless he hears everything he wants (which is often unrealistic) he may well move.

I do agree here thats why I'm that little bit concerned hey may choose to leave. I think he's already stated aswell that he doesn't want to play LB, just as a LB option & as an outright winger, he may accept he's only young & got ages to go yet & may be happy to sit back & just rotate around everwhere on the left, we have no idea what is happening in the background. He'll be competing with Martinelli & Auba further forward & all 3 will be very big options on the left.

 

[truth_hurts]

I'd hope as the only left footer out of our left wing options, he'd fancy his chances.

Martinelli doesn't need to be direct competition as there is enough available game time for Martinelli, Nelson and Saka.

 

[scytheavatar]

No, I just want you to look at this objectively. The claim that most teams get their width from their full backs is not an absolute. Liverpool do, Man City did not. We could go down the league and find out it's about half and half.

You then create a false dichotomy of 3 midfielders and more control or 2 midfielders and less. Yes, granted, an extra body in midfield should help to dominate. But do you honestly feel a hard working and industrious midfield 4 of let's say Saka, Partey, Torreria and Fraser/Nelson/AMN would offer less than a midfield 5 of Xhaka, Guendouzi, Özil, Pepe and Auba in terms of dominating a midfield?

The other way of looking at it would be that we'd actually have 4 in midfield instead of 3.

Saka playing at LB generally has meant Xhaka plays more like a 3rd cb when we attack anyway, so we lose a midfielder anyway.

I think you've answered already, but do you see Saka developing into a wide forward? I don't personally. It's a lazy comparison, but I'd see him as more of a Tomas Lemar as a left sided player who operates best from deep.

Modern day football tactics is all about triangles....... this is why everyone is moving towards a midfield 3. 3 midfielders is the best shape for pressing and can cut out 2 midfielders with ease.

I think Saka can easily develop into being a world class left back, he already has become one of our most important player and irreplaceable on the left back position. As a left winger the best he can become is Lemar which in case you haven't realize isn't the standard we should be aiming for.

 

[Aussie_gunner123]

I'd hope as the only left footer out of our left wing options, he'd fancy his chances.

Martinelli doesn't need to be direct competition as there is enough available game time for Martinelli, Nelson and Saka.

I'd put Nelson as more of an option on the right, our rw options are relatively shorter then the left side so I'd put Nelson on the right competing with Pepe. Tell me who else we have on the right but I can't really think of many more after those 2. That's not including the rb options like Bellerin & AMN.

 

[truth_hurts]

I'd put Nelson as more of an option on the right, our rw options are relatively shorter then the left side so I'd put Nelson on the right competing with Pepe. Tell me who else we have on the right but I can't really think of many more after those 2. That's not including the rb options like Bellerin & AMN.

You're right. nelson is more of an option for the right. After him and Pepe, ESR and AMN would be the options, but both are probably better utilised elsewhere.

 

[truth_hurts]

Modern day football tactics is all about triangles....... this is why everyone is moving towards a midfield 3. 3 midfielders is the best shape for pressing and can cut out 2 midfielders with ease.

I think Saka can easily develop into being a world class left back, he already has become one of our most important player and irreplaceable on the left back position. As a left winger the best he can become is Lemar which in case you haven't realize isn't the standard we should be aiming for.

Unless you're Liverpool, who are the main case study for width coming from full backs. To make it clear, I never said that we should play 4-4-2 as our main formation, but it would be nice to have it as an option for games where we are clear home favourites. Flexibility in formations and tactics wouldn't hurt us.

It is far too early to be putting ceilings on Saka or even Lemar (who plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a world cup winner LOL and we bid 90m for). If Lemar causes offence, then Saka can become a Di Maria type and he was phenomenal at a time.

 

[truth_hurts]

I actually agree that he (Saka) has shown that he could become a world class defender, but so has Maitland Niles in short bursts, particularly in the games where he neutralised Zaha and Martial.

 

[Aussie_gunner123]

You're right. nelson is more of an option for the right. After him and Pepe, ESR and AMN would be the options, but both are probably better utilised elsewhere.

That's partly what the issue is. We are overloaded with options on the left but very short on the right. Those 2 would be the obvious competition but both play better centrally & better utilized centrally. AMN is a tough one though, I don't count him as a winger, if we play him on the edge I'd play him as a rb. We need another young rw player partly I feel. That way we have obvious competition on both sides.