Mikel Arteta is prepared to rely on Arsenal’s replacement for Bukayo Saka, expressing confidence by saying, “He thrives on it!”

Mikel Arteta believes Gabriel Martinelli is eager to take on the challenge of stepping in for Bukayo Saka, who is expected to be sidelined for up to two months after injuring his hamstring during Arsenal’s 5-1 victory at Crystal Palace. The injury is a significant blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations. With Raheem Sterling also out for an extended period, Arteta plans to rely on Martinelli for Friday’s match against Ipswich.

The 23-year-old Brazilian forward was moved to the right wing after Saka’s injury at Selhurst Park, where he contributed with a goal and an assist. Arteta stated: “Gabi thrives on these challenges – he wants to step up whenever given the chance. He enjoys taking on responsibility and playing a bigger role.”

Arteta acknowledged the impact Martinelli had in the Palace game, adding that all players would need to step up now that Saka, a key figure, will be absent.

While Arteta has faced criticism for overworking Saka, he defended the player’s durability, highlighting his remarkable resilience over the years. He said, “When you look at his history, it’s incredible. It’s hard to find a more robust player in the league, especially at his age when the workload increases.” He also noted that even with perfect preparation, it’s difficult to predict such injuries.

In terms of replacements, Arteta has other options such as Leandro Trossard and young Ethan Nwaneri, although he was cautious with Nwaneri’s development, stressing the importance of continued growth and understanding of the game.

Arsenal, currently playing catch-up in the title race with Liverpool and Chelsea, aims to avoid a repeat of last season’s Christmas slump. Reflecting on last season’s defeats to West Ham and Fulham, Arteta emphasized the lessons learned, joking that the key takeaway was “the ball has to be in

the net!”