Bukayo Saka wants to 'prove something' in new position at Arsenal | OneFootball

Saka loving ‘challenge’ of playing in a midfield No10 role

New role: Bukayo Saka

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Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka is relishing the challenge of playing as a No10 for Arsenal, as he ponders a more regular change of position.

But, after Riccardo Calafiori picked up an injury in the warm-up against Wigan on Sunday, Saka was brought into the starting line-up at the last minute.

He started in midfield alongside Eberechi Eze and impressed in his 45 minutes on the pitch, pushing the case for further opportunities in that position.

Saka started in midfield alongside Eberechi Eze against Wigan

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With Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz still unavailable for the trip to Wolves on Wednesday, Arteta is considering using Saka to fill that gap.

"Yeah, obviously the circumstances of certain players as well sometimes force you to do certain things," Arteta said.

"But Mikel [Merino] adapted incredibly well to a nine position because we missed Kai [Havertz] and Gabi [Jesus] at the time. And now we have issues with midfielders, and players are stepping in.

"Bukayo's case as well, it's obviously one that we need to consider for the future. But really good, especially that the players respond to different types of roles in the manner that they are doing."

Asked if Saka enjoyed playing in a midfield role, Arteta said: "I think he does and everything that brings a challenge to him and he needs to prove something.

"I think it takes something from him and I think it's something positive."

If Saka does start at No10, it would allow Noni Madueke to keep his place on the wing, having scored three goals in his last five appearances.

Saka and Madueke combined well against Wigan and are close friends off the pitch, a relationship Arteta is confident will continue to benefit the team.

"This morning we had another one," Arteta said.

“They were in the gym and they were testing, and everyone was trying to compete with each other, and those two were hilarious as usual.

"It’s great to witness, because it’s natural - the way they like each other so much, they’re constantly together, and there is some competition within the places, but the team benefits from that and they benefit from that as well.

"Anyone who has played sports or worked with people in teams or those environments that you are willing to see, it’s much better in the morning than someone when you don’t even want to look at their face.

"So it’s very pleasant - they enjoy the company and get along really well."