Is number 10 role the next step for Saka?

A player dropping out of the warm-up before a game is something Mikel Arteta has had to get used to this season.

When Riccardo Calafiori pulled out before Arsenal’s game with Wigan on Sunday, it was the third time in this campaign that this had happened to the Gunners before a match.

But on this occasion, Arteta gave a glimpse of what could be the next evolution of the Arsenal attack – Bukayo Saka playing as a number 10.

When Calafiori and Saka had to pull out of games against Brighton and Leeds earlier this season, Arteta made straight swaps for players in their positions but for this match he shuffled his players around.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was pencilled in to start in midfield, was moved to left-back and Saka, who is building up his fitness after a hip issue, was brought into the number 10 role.

In part, Arteta’s decision to play Saka there is down to the midfield injury issues that the Gunners are currently facing.

But this was not the first time that Saka has played in a central role under Arteta.

During the lockdown season of 2020, Saka played in midfield against Brighton in a 2-1 loss, hitting the crossbar from the edge of the box with a right-footed shot and providing an assist for Nicolas Pepe.

Saka is one of the best wingers in the world, even if his numbers are down from what you would likely expect from him so far this season.

The 24-year-old has seven goals and seven assists in 33 games in all competitions this season.

One thing that makes Saka so threatening is that he can control the ball in tight spaces even when closely marked and he showed that when challenged by the Wigan midfield during the game.

He dropped deep to pick the ball up while he also swapped positions with Noni Madueke, who was playing in Saka’s usual right-wing position, and the Gunners’ third goal came from Saka’s cross after good work between the pair on the right.

Saka playing in that position could also mean the pathway for 16-year-old Max Dowman is clearer and means Arteta could play the talented youngster and Saka in the same side.

Madueke is also in excellent form and has three goals and an assist in his last five games and with Wolves on Wednesday and midfield injuries, there’s a chance we could see Saka continue in his role, with Arteta hinting the England international could feature there more this season.

“That’s something that’s a possibility and I wanted to try it, and we might use it in the future,” Arteta said.

Umir Irfan, Football Tactics Correspondent:

From a wing position, a player is essentially playing at 180 degress – with half of the pitch cut off by the touchline. Centrally, Saka can play at 360 degrees – with the ability to dribble or pass in any direction.

Arteta highlighted the benefit of him here succinctly, saying of Saka’s ability to be more unpredictable in both his decision-making and his positioning, “it’s more difficult for the opponent to get his reference constantly”.

As the number 10, Saka showcased his positional versatility on the day, floating to the left side of attacking midfield, as well as rotating well with Madueke on the right wing.

Key to Arsenal’s build-up has been players rotating frequently while maintaining their shape, with opponents pressing them finding it hard to know who to follow. Saka’s inclusion as a number 10 brings this added fluidity to Arsenal’s attack, which helped them pull apart Wigan for the duration of his cameo.

As one of the more senior players of the team, Saka possesses both the mental and physical qualities to absorb the pressure of playing centrally. Saka’s ability to take contact from defenders that clatter into the back of him is something he has mastered in the safer environment of the right wing and is invaluable centrally.

Tactically, however, attacking through the middle poses a greater risk, given how many bodies are positioned here. Losing the ball centrally leads to opponents having better positions to counter-attack from too. Arteta’s Arsenal have therefore generally opted to go around opponents rather than through.

As good as Saka is for the team, his numbers slightly underwhelm, so getting him closer to goal would allow him to score or assist more himself.