Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Named Two Of His Men Match Winner (See Picture)
After a forgettable and challenging start to their campaign, Arsenal look to have got their season back on track after four consecutive victories against Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom, plus Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round.
These positive results were accompanied by much improved performances too which will be just as rewarding as the results themselves and for arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Particularly given that he made a number of subtle tactical adjustments in these matches that looked to have played a crucial role in the team’s success.
With a focus on the hat-trick of Premier League victories, one of the more striking and successful adjustments was moving Bukayo Saka from a left-sided attacking role to a right-sided one. The 19-year-old rewarded Arteta’a decision by putting in three impressive performances and scoring two crucial goals.
Saka’s versatility means it’s not the first time he’s been utilised in different positions on the pitch, noticeably starting as a left-wing back in the early days of Arteta’s tenure. He’s been pushed further forward as a left-sided attacker in recent times and has performed well, despite Arsenal’s melancholy form.
His pace means he’s a threat driving in behind a defence and his dribbling skill makes him a nightmare for defenders in 1v1 duels. However, as a left-footed player playing on the left, his game will naturally be centred around staying slightly wider and creating rather than scoring.
Notably, the attacker has averaged 3.4 crosses per 90 this season, however, he’s yet to attempt more than two in any of his previous three matches playing on the right. This is because on the right, he’s naturally presented with more opportunities to cut inside onto his favoured foot and drive through the middle of the pitch towards the goal.
This point felt crucial in the build-up to Saka’s strike against West Brom. As he receives the ball into feet from Emile Smith Rowe in the below, he looks to turn away to his right from the nearby defender so he is able to run onto the ball controlling it with his favoured left.
Obviously, if he performed this same action in his usual left-sided position, he would be turning away from the goal rather than towards it.
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