Mikel Arteta told to change 22-year-old’s position and start him up-front for Arsenal

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Robbie Mustoe has told Mikel Arteta to use Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka as a striker now.

Arsenal have struggled in the final third this term, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both failing to find the back of the net regularly.

Indeed, the duo have netted just eight league goals between them this season.

Mikel Arteta’s wide players haven’t exactly been at their best either as both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have found it difficult to find space on either flank.

Saka has still managed 13 goal involvements in 19 appearances. But Martinelli has had a hand in just four goals in the league this term.

It’s led to Arsenal ranking amongst the worst sides in the league in terms of goals from open play.

And in a bid to solve their woes in the final third, Robbie Mustoe believes Arteta should use Saka as a striker. 

Arteta urged to use Saka as a striker for Arsenal

Speaking on The 2 Robbies Podcast, Mustoe suggested that Saka could be a good option to lead the line for Arsenal.

He said: “Yeah I mean, I’m looking at a line-up here and Bukayo Saka, how about trying him somewhere else? How about trying him as a ten, or how about trying him as a false nine?

“He’s a scorer, he’s got an eye for goal, he’s got good technique off both sides, why don’t you play him as a number ten and you bring in Trossard in a wider area?

“Maybe you play Rice alongside Odegaard, you switch up your system a little bit. I think we’re at that point now.”

The form of Arsenal’s attacking players is certainly a cause for concern for Arteta. There have even been claims that teams have worked out how to defend against Saka and Martinelli. 

But in our view, this isn’t quite the case as Arsenal have struggled to make the most of their opportunities this season.

Jesus isn’t exactly known for his lethal finishing, while Nketiah is yet to put a consistent run of form together to prove he could be the man for Arsenal.

Of course, Brentford’s Ivan Toney has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

But in the meantime, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Arteta to experiment with his frontline. Saka has proven to be a lethal finisher and Jesus excelled while playing out wide during his time at Manchester City.