Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta deployed Bukayo Saka in an unfamiliar central midfield role during Sunday's 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory against Wigan Athletic. Saka, typically a right winger, started as a number 10 after Riccardo Calafiori sustained a late warm-up injury, forcing a tactical adjustment.
Arteta stated the positional switch was "a possibility" he wanted to try and may utilise in future matches, according to BBC Sport. He noted Saka's increased proximity to goal and ability to interchange positions as key benefits of the change. Saka played for 45 minutes, contributing to Arsenal's four first-half goals in a dominant display. The experiment was deemed successful by Arteta, who expressed satisfaction with the team's cohesion despite the late alteration. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown also praised Saka's freedom in the new role.
