Max Dowman role, Bukayo Saka switch and how Mikel Arteta can solve new Arsenal problem | OneFootball

Arteta needs to find solution to creativity issue after Eberechi Eze injury

Mikel Arteta will not be relishing his first Arsenal press conference back after the international break.

Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel all pulled out of international duty after the final. Martin Odegaard remains on the sidelines too.

Most of those are just managing ongoing niggles, but it is Eze who presents the biggest headache for Arteta.

The 27-year-old is expected to miss at least a month with a calf injury, a major blow just as he was hitting form at his favourite time of the season. The stats show he is twice as effective between March and May as he is the rest of the year.

Eze could miss between four to six weeks with the calf injury that forced him to miss the Carabao Cup final

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Eze provides an unpredictable edge to an Arsenal attack that can become too safe. He will try a shot from distance or an off-the-cuff flick when others in the side would recycle possession.

He was sorely missed against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday. There was no subtlety or craft to Arsenal's play, no composure.

For Arteta, the international break needs to bring solutions. City have provided a template for other teams, particularly the more technical sides in the Premier League and in Europe.

They did not try and match Arsenal physically. Instead they put a wall of four players in front of the midfield, let the centre-backs and goalkeeper have the ball, and just stood there.

Arteta did not react to that at all at Wembley but he must now do so in the run-in to ensure there is no repeat.

Arsenal's attackers have been out of form individually for much of the season. For all more is needed from players like Bukayo Saka, so many of them struggling points to a wider issue.

Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have been run into the ground, playing near enough every Premier League minute.

"I'm shattered, it's non-stop," Rice admitted earlier this month. "It's been every three days since October. We've been coping with it as best we can. It's really tiring."

Arsenal struggled with a lack of creativity in their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City

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Zubimendi has started every league match, while Rice has missed just one due to injury. Playing both every game is supposed to at least give Arsenal control, even if some attacking thrust is lost, but there was no control against City.

Unsurprisingly, Zubimendi is now physically struggling to do what is asked of him after so much football.

Particularly with Eze out, Arteta needs to get creative. That means not always leaning on the crutch of Zubimendi and Rice.

The return of Odegaard will be crucial. He has played only once since February 12 due to a knee injury but Arsenal need their captain to hit the ground running on his return.

He possesses the technical quality to drop deep and progress Arsenal up the pitch in a way they otherwise struggle to do.

Kai Havertz was poor in midfield against City. However, having Odegaard alongside him connecting play would allow the German to play more as a second striker.

Alternatively, Arteta tried Saka as a No10 earlier this season and there were promising signs. With Odegaard potentially in a deeper role behind him, that could be a way to try and spark Saka back into life.

There is also the wildcard factor of Max Dowman. It was the right decision not to throw him on at Wembley as a Hail Mary, but he does have a role to play.

Max Dowman could play a more important role in the absence of Eze

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The 16-year-old commits defenders and plays with a much-needed fearlessness. Upcoming matches against Southampton and Bournemouth, which Eze is set to miss, could offer a chance to turn to Dowman.

Arteta has options and Arsenal have the opportunity to bounce back. The biggest prizes are still in front of them.

However, if they are to claim them, it cannot always just be more of the same. Tired legs need fresh ideas to get over the line.