Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has claimed that Bukayo Saka should replace the injured Kieran Tierney at left-back ahead of Nuno Tavares and Granit Xhaka. The Gunners were dealt a huge injury blow after it was confirmed earlier this week that Tierney would miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
Tavares deputised for the Scotland international against Crystal Palace on Monday, but produced a far from convincing display and was substituted at half-time. The 22-year-old was also withdrawn before the break during the Gunners’ 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, and many have questioned whether he has the quality to replace Tierney for the rest of the campaign.
Keown, who won three Premier League titles during his time with the club, has called on Mikel Arteta to curb the attacking qualities Saka brings to the side by using him at left-back. The England star has been used in that role before and Keown believes that his experience playing in that position makes him the best option.
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“Well, he (Tavares) probably isn’t (good enough). Keown said whilst discussing his old side on talkSPORT. “But if that was your boy out there, taken off after 25 minutes against (Nottingham) Forest. I would never have seen Wenger do that. He would have waited for the second half. This week he was taken off at half-time.
“We – Arsenal – have to find a solution to the left-back problem. I would like to see Saka go to left-back. I know that’s radical but I’d rather see that than (Granit) Xhaka there, who will get exposed.
“It’s about your best 11. I think Saka can still do damage from left-back. (Nicolas) Pepe would go to the right and (Gabriel) Martinelli on the left. If you’ve got an issue with a player to such an extent that mistakes are being made down that side, then you can’t play him (Tavares).
“But I don’t think Xhaka is the answer. He certainly isn’t. They’ll be setting teams out to exploit that weakness. It won’t be long before Xhaka is off the pitch and Arsenal are down to 10 men again. Play Saka there.”
The 20-year-old winger has been one of the Gunners’ standout performers this season and is their joint top scorer with 10 goals in all competitions. Saka has also registered five assists and Arteta would be reluctant to lose his attacking qualities in the final third of the pitch.
Arsenal’s lack of depth is becoming apparent with a lack of tangible options to replace Tierney, coupled with the injury picked up by Thomas Partey in the Monday's defeat at Crystal Palace, leaving them light in midfield. And with the race for fourth spot entering the home straight, Keown is hopeful that he club’s injury problems don’t derail their quest to get back into the Champions League after a five-year absence.
“Well, of course, the squad is bare,’ he added. ‘We’ve always known that. The 11 (players) that make it to the pitch can do a job. Whether it can make the top four, I did actually say that Tottenham were favourites for the top four when Arsenal beat (Aston) Villa.
“That hasn’t really changed for me. Not because I’m not an Arsenal fan – of course I am – but you have to be realistic. That doesn’t mean Arsenal are not going to finish in the top four but this weekend you’ve got to bounce back against Brighton.”
