Could Bukayo Saka start at left-back for Arsenal against Standard Liege?

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Arsenal take on Standard Liege in the Europa League tomorrow night and injuries are building up for Freddie Ljungberg.

The Gunners can still go out of the competition in Belgium. With Manchester City next up in the Premier League, however, a youthful-looking team could play tomorrow.

Several first-team players are ruled out of the game. Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi, Nicolas Pepe, Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin, Dani Ceballos and Rob Holding are all definitely not involved.

Tierney’s absence leave Ljungberg with a dilemma. The ex-Celtic man is expected to be out until March and as a result, it seems unlikely he will risk Sead Kolasinac.

The Bosnian will be needed for the foreseeable and starting him on Thursday would be a massive gamble.

With no standout performer at left-back in the academy ranks, it could mean a surprise inclusion for Bukayo Saka.

The 18-year-old has featured 13 times for the Gunners this season, typically performing on the wing.

He hasn’t always been a winger though and when he was coming through Ljungberg’s youth ranks, he often operated as a left wing-back.

Experience

It really is a case of needs must for Arsenal at the minute and having been in and out of the side this season, an opening could arise for Saka to stake his claim.

It would seem that the youngster would be happy to do so too.

In 2018, following an under-23 contest against Blackburn, Saka stated that he was happy as long as he was playing football.

He told the club’s official website: “I just had to adapt to it. Anywhere I can play in the team, I’m happy to do it. I just want to master it so that I can get up and down as a full-back.”

Some supporters might view it as a negative utilising Saka out of position.

The last thing the Gunners need is any more injuries, however, and the youngster might just be called upon tomorrow night.

Saka’s game is ideal for the modern-day left-back berth. He is quick, energetic and works hard at both ends of the pitch.

If he does get the nod tomorrow and performs well, it could open the door for more opportunities as the season progresses.