Mikel Arteta suggested he is ready to use Bukayo Saka in a central position more often after his performance against Wigan.
Saka had been named among the substitutes for the FA Cup fourth round clash, but was called up into the starting line-up at the last minute after Riccardo Calafiori picked up a problem ahead of kick-off.
Rather than lining up in his usual position on the wing, Saka started in midfield as the right No8.
He played his part in a fluid Arsenal attack that scored all four goals in their 4-0 win inside the opening half an hour.
Although the decision to start Saka only came after a late problem to Calafiori, the chance to experiment was one Arteta has been looking for.
“Yeah, that’s something that’s a possibility, and I wanted to try it and we might use it in the future,” Arteta said.
“So we still have so many games, competitions and different scenarios to play in this season, and that’s a possibility that we have.”
Asked what he liked about Saka playing in that position, Arteta continued: “Well, he’s more central, he’s closer to the goal.
“It’s a bit more difficult for the opponent to get his reference constantly. He can interchange positions with the wide player as well, and he’s so good at picking those spaces.
“When he’s there, he can really hurt you with the ball.”
There was plenty of rotation with the Arsenal side against their League One opposition.
Gabriel Martinelli moved inside as Gabriel Jesus drifted out to the left, while Saka had the freedom to go wide too as he created space for Noni Madueke.
Although they then eased off in the final hour of the match, Arsenal were rampant in the opening exchanges and even Arteta did not necessarily expect that.
“I was a bit surprised with the level of cohesion and connections very early in the match because when you make that many changes, that can be a part of the game that can be lacking,” Arteta admitted.
“But certainly it wasn’t, and we scored some very, very good goals. I’m very pleased with that.”
