'Saka Is Not A Fullback' - Arsenal Coach Admits Hot Prospect Has Been Playing Out Of Position

Published: January 18, 2020

The points were shared at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by this season's surprise package Sheffield United on Saturday evening.

Once again, London-born Nigerian starlet Bukayo Saka was made to cover at left-back with experienced duo Sead Kolašinac and Kieran Tierney still recovering from injuries.

The England U19 international was Arsenal's most influential player in the first half and combined with another teenager, Gabriel Martinelli for the opening goal in the 45th minute as his deflected cross was turned in by the Brazilian.

The Gunners were denied all three points when John Fleck's deflected shot on 83 minutes salvaged a point for The Blades.

Just as Saka has been deployed as a makeshift left-back in recent games, 2017 U20 World Cup winner Ainsley Maitland-Niles has also been playing out of position because first choice right-back Hector Bellerin is not yet in tip-top condition, though the Spaniard has returned to full training.

Asked if Maitland-Niles was at fault for the equaliser, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta was quoted as saying by arsenal.com :"Obviously, when we are analysing the opponents and scenarios that are happening on the pitch, we have to try to correct and help the players as much as possible.

"But we can ask Ainsley a lot of thing, but he's not a full-back. Bukayo is not a fullback.

"They're trying to adapt as quickly as possible and they try to help the team as much as possible to do that, but these things are going to happen."

Predominantly a left winger, Saka has been made to play left-back in his last six matches in the Premier League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : sufc.co.uk