Arsenal take on Benfica in the Europa League this midweek and young Bukayo Saka could be a key deciding factor in this two-legged tie.
Saka has scored five goals and provided three assists in 22 Premier League games so far this season and speaking to the press, Mikel Arteta has outlined the importance of the 19-year-old.
The manager said in his press conference: “His form in recent months shows that he’s a very important player for us.
“I think he’s getting better and better, his performance levels have been really consistent, so that makes him for sure one of the most important players in recent months.
“It is very unusual[the impact he’s having] but he’s been doing a lot of unusual things.
“He’s dealing with things at his age in a very unusual way, but that’s why he’s showing what he’s showing, because his maturity is above his age and so is his intelligence as well.”
Will Bukayo Saka start for Arsenal vs Benfica?
Lacazette has failed to start the past few matches for Arsenal but he’s sure to come back into the starting line-up on Thursday. And this would mean Aubameyang has to return to his usual role on the left wing – after playing up front vs Man City.
View this post on Instagram
Now both these rotations mean that only the right wing will be open for competition between Nicolas Pepe and young Bukayo Saka.
Pepe has upped his game in the past couple of matches but all his success has come down the left-hand side of the pitch. But with Auba reclaiming that position and given the impact that Bukayo Saka has had this season we expect Mikel Arteta to choose the 19-year-old ahead of Pepe vs Benfica.
