Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has explained his role as a left-wing-back for England in their clash against Italy on Friday. The 21-year-old's versatility could be of use to Mikel Arteta throughout the season, with the added experience in the position allowing the manager to make more tactical tweaks.
That versatility is something that already flows through the squad, with many players able to move into areas that need filling. This was seen with the likes of Ben White - who has played at both right-back and centre-back - and Oleksandr Zinchenko - who can play at left-back and in midfield.
When asked about the ability to move his players around in a flexible way, Arteta said in the summer: "It’s one of the things and way we can adapt structures, formations & rotations within the squad & playing with the same players in a different way. To be more unpredictable is obviously important & that is why we have those players.”
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That unpredictability is something that he, perhaps, lacks with his use of Saka so far. The youngster is currently being deployed as a right-winger, having been the only senior first-team option on that side so far.
However, should someone like Marquinhos become a more regular option there, the 21-year-old could be an option to use on the left as a wing-back. When asked about his use there for England, he said: "It is a position I have played in before so I am not unfamiliar with it, but coming here and doing it here tonight is going to be a challenge, but I love challenges."
Saka has the engine to get up and down the pitch, with the quality on the ball and desire off of it to play the position well for both club and country. While it may be an unlikely decision from the start for Arteta, it could be one he makes in-game to change the game for him.
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