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Portsmouth vs Arsenal: 3 youngsters Mikel Arteta should start

By Kian Long

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on January 6, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on January 6, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

2. Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka doesn’t even seem like a young player to me anymore. That’s how well he’s gelled into the starting XI. Quite impressive for a guy that Arsenal don’t even list as being a squad player (no, I mean it, take a look at their website).

Of course, Saka is not only a member of the Arsenal squad but he is one of the most important at the moment. With Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac both plagued with injury, there isn’t anyone else that can fill the left-back void.

It would be nice for Saka to get a break and I’m sure he will soon but for the time being, I’m enjoying seeing him play so I can have no complaints.

He will likely start for Arteta against Portsmouth and he will be hoping to add to his assist tally. His runs forward have been impressive and although he is forced out of position, he is still given the license to play in his natural setting 99% of the time.

He won’t have much defending to do against Portsmouth, Arteta will hope, but if he does, then it’ll serve as training for him. Because, of course, he could even take up this position full-time going forward into the future.

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