Life Without Saka: How Arsenal Must Adapt Without Their Star Boy
When Bukayo Saka pulled up with a hamstring injury, the collective gasp from Arsenal fans reflected the enormity of the situation. The winger has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers and a cornerstone of Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta. Saka’s absence, the longest of his career, doesn’t just mean a loss of goals and assists—it forces Arsenal to recalibrate their entire tactical setup. With Saka sidelined, Arsenal must adjust not only their attacking dynamics but also the roles of key players like Jurrien Timber and Martin Ødegaard, both of whom have thrived in partnerships with the winger. This period will test the team’s depth, flexibility, and resolve as they navigate without their talisman.
Saka’s Immense Impact on Arsenal
Bukayo Saka’s influence on Arsenal transcends mere statistics—he is the embodiment of Mikel Arteta’s vision for the team. As a product of Hale End, Saka represents the club’s values of hard work, creativity, and fearlessness, qualities that have made him one of the Premier League’s most complete players. Offensively, he is Arsenal’s primary attacking outlet, consistently producing goals, assists, and chances that define games. His ability to stretch defenses, whether by staying wide to deliver crosses or cutting inside to unleash shots, creates unpredictability in Arsenal’s attack. Beyond his direct contributions, Saka’s work ethic and defensive diligence make him an invaluable part of Arteta’s high-pressing system. His unique partnership with Martin Ødegaard and Ben White on the right has been instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence, combining fluid movement, incisive passing, and relentless off-the-ball running. Saka doesn’t just contribute to Arsenal’s success—he elevates those around him, creating space, time, and opportunities for his teammates to thrive. His absence leaves a void not only in output but also in the cohesion and balance that has been a hallmark of Arsenal’s play.
Ødegaard’s Challenge: Adapting Without His Key Partner
Much of Arsenal’s attacking success has been defined by the fluid partnership between Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka. Ødegaard’s brilliance as Arsenal’s captain and chief creator is enhanced by Saka’s dynamic movement, which opens up space and provides constant passing options. Their combination play—quick one-twos, overlaps, and incisive passes into the box—has been a hallmark of Arsenal’s right-side dominance.
Without Saka, Ødegaard faces new challenges. The absence of his regular outlet on the right flank will likely mean tighter marking from opponents, as defenders no longer need to double up on Saka. This will reduce Ødegaard’s space to operate, forcing him to adapt his playstyle and develop an understanding with whoever takes up the right-wing role.
Gabriel Jesus is the most natural candidate to fill Saka’s position, offering directness and creativity that mirrors Saka’s style. Jesus’ ability to drift inside and combine with Ødegaard could maintain much of the fluidity on Arsenal’s right, but the partnership will require time to develop. Alternatively, Gabriel Martinelli could move to the right flank, with Leandro Trossard taking up the left. Martinelli’s pace and willingness to attack defenders could provide Ødegaard with an effective runner, though the dynamic will differ from the intuitive connection he shares with Saka.
Timber’s Role: A Crucial Adjustment
While much of the focus will fall on who replaces Saka directly, Jurrien Timber’s role at right-back is equally critical. Signed in the summer of 2023, Timber has proven himself as one of Arsenal’s most versatile and intelligent players. Originally expected to compete for a center-back or left-back role, he has seamlessly filled in at right-back during Ben White’s injury, showcasing his ability to play anywhere across the backline.
Under Arteta’s system, Arsenal’s fullbacks play a hybrid role, often inverting into midfield to provide numerical superiority during build-up play. Timber has excelled in this capacity, but Saka’s absence might require him to alter his approach. If Gabriel Jesus is deployed on the right wing, Timber may need to overlap more frequently to provide width, stretching defenses and creating space for Jesus to cut inside. Conversely, if Arsenal deploy Martinelli or Trossard on the right, Timber might maintain his inverted role, focusing on controlling the midfield and linking up with Ødegaard.
Timber’s adaptability is vital to Arsenal’s ability to mitigate Saka’s absence. His technical proficiency, defensive awareness, and tactical intelligence provide a stabilizing presence on the right side, ensuring Arsenal can maintain balance even as their attacking structure shifts.
Tactical Adjustments for Arteta
Arteta faces the challenge of reconfiguring Arsenal’s right flank while preserving the team’s overall cohesion. This may require tweaks to the roles of Ødegaard, Timber, and Arsenal’s forward line.
Deploying Gabriel Jesus on the right wing provides the most seamless transition, as his directness and flair can mimic some of Saka’s qualities. Jesus’ ability to press from the front and combine in tight spaces aligns well with Ødegaard’s strengths, while Timber’s overlapping runs could compensate for Jesus’ tendency to drift centrally.
Alternatively, Arteta might rotate between options depending on the opposition. Martinelli’s pace and dynamism could be utilized on the right flank in matches where Arsenal need to stretch the play, while Trossard’s creativity and control are better suited to games where Arsenal dominate possession. Such rotation would require Ødegaard to adapt to different profiles on the right but could maintain Arsenal’s unpredictability.
Central to these adjustments is the continued interplay between Ødegaard and Timber. As Ødegaard adapts to new partnerships on the right, Timber’s positioning and movement—whether as an overlapping fullback or an inverted midfielder—will provide the consistency needed to sustain Arsenal’s build-up play.
Saka’s Absence: A Test of Arsenal’s Depth
Saka’s injury is a defining moment for Arsenal’s season. It challenges not only the team’s tactical setup but also its psychological resilience. Players like Ødegaard and Timber, who have thrived in Saka’s presence, now face the task of leading Arsenal through a critical period. Ødegaard must forge new connections with his wide partner while maintaining his creative output, while Timber’s versatility will be stretched as he balances attacking and defensive duties.
Yet, this challenge also presents an opportunity. If Arsenal can adapt successfully, they will emerge as a more versatile and resilient team, better equipped to navigate the rigors of a title race. When Saka returns, he will rejoin a side that has grown in his absence, ready to continue their pursuit of silverware.
Bukayo Saka is irreplaceable, but Arsenal are more than the sum of their parts. With Ødegaard’s leadership, Timber’s adaptability, and Arteta’s tactical ingenuity, the Gunners can find a way to thrive even without their brightest star.
