Country: England
Player:Saka
We should be trying to phase him out. Out of possession he is basically a body just running around chasing shadows.
However, what bothers me most is Lacazette gets so much heat for not scoring, Pepe is being judged on his contribution to goals, Auba is analysed by his goals. Why does Özil get away with it?
He is a number 10 that doesn't shoot in modern football. He is so high up the pitch, yet will never come close to scoring. So one of our main offensive positions just won't contribute goals. How is that okay?
Oh wait he provides assists. No he doesn't! He isn't even doing that.
Not contributing goals is valid. But there is nobody behind him who contributes those either.
Phasing him out is also valid, but its clear he will be seeing out his contract, so we know how that's going to conclude. So our choices are one of a few things. Change formation to a 3 man midfield and no number 10, and see what we can do with our somewhat imbalanced midfield.
Directly replace him with Ceballos? He's real Madrids player as far as I'm concerned. If he can offer more, then great. This season though, is there even time?
Directly replace with willock? I don't think he's proven productive enough yet to fill that role. Maybe he will, and patience is fine, but hanging our hat on him likely doesn't coincide with competing with our direct rivals attacks either.
Replace him with transfer funds? Well you'd hope we can. Someone like a ziyech could work, but its really looking like we just don't have the funds isn't it. I'd love us to be in for players like ziyech or havertz, but i cannot see how it's even possible.
Until his contract runs out, I think Arteta will be looking to get us as far back up the table as possible with him as a central figure. I don't see that we have much choice.