Mikel Arteta responds to concern over Arsenal’s left side and reliance on Bukayo Saka

Mikel Arteta maintains Arsenal still have a threat from the left side of their attack despite calls to strengthen in January and reduce the burden on Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners swept Monaco aside 3-0 midweek after another magnificent performance from Saka to take a commanding position in the Champions League.

But former Arsenal Women star Karen Carney has urged the Gunners to sign a new forward, especially one who can operate out wide.

“Either left wing or centre-forward,” Carney told TNT Sports. “You can’t just have Bukayo [Saka] on his own. It’s either got to be a left-winger or that centre forward.

But Arteta played down any imbalance to his team, insisting there is a “threat” from the left side.

“We certainly have that,” Arteta said. “It’s never going be the same because they have different qualities.

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“We need to understand that we have different threats on all sides. If not we wouldn’t have scored the goals we did in the last few years.

“That [injuries] is something where we’ve had a lot of instability in recent years. Finding that stability and putting players who have that chemistry is very important.”

Arteta also discussed the potential for Gabriel Martinelli playing as a centre forward.

“He’s played a few times,” Arteta said. “I think Gabi is so good when he’s got the line in his back and he’s so comfortable on the left hand side.”

Carney highlighted how Liverpool had balance across their attack to topple Manchester City to win the Premier League title.

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“City were so dominant in the Premier League, and the only team to stop them was Liverpool,” she added. “They had [Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah.

“Seeing that balance, I wouldn’t mind trying a real solid left-winger. There’s a lot of teams who are going to be after that centre-forward.

“I think getting a balance on the left side, actually, might be an option for Arsenal.

“They’re one player away, for me. Literally one player away. You’re so close. Go and get them.”