Sutton praises Arsenal's squad depth after Saka injury blow
Chris Sutton believes Arsenal's squad depth was on full display against Everton, just days after Bukayo Saka was confirmed to be facing a two month absence through injury. The former striker argues Mikel Arteta has enough quality elsewhere in the squad to keep picking up results without his influential winger.
Saka has been one of Arsenal's most important players this season, and news of his long term fitness issue raised understandable concerns among supporters about how the team would cope. His creativity and attacking output have made him difficult to replace on paper, but Arsenal's first match since the diagnosis offered an early answer.
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Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
Arsenal see off Moyes and Everton
David Moyes, who has got the better of Arsenal on several occasions during his managerial career, arrived in north London looking for another result against the Gunners. Instead, Arteta's side produced a composed performance to take all three points, with set pieces proving decisive in the win.
The result showed that Arsenal can remain competitive even with one of their biggest attacking threats sidelined. Replacing Saka's quality outright is not straightforward, but the depth within the squad allowed Arteta to make changes without significantly weakening his starting eleven.
Sutton's verdict on Arsenal's options
Speaking via BBC Live, Sutton pointed to the strength in numbers Arteta can call upon as a key factor behind the victory.
βIt's about squad depth and Arsenal have shown today changes which they've made, with Bukayo Saka being injured and out for a while, but they have players who can come in and may not be as effective but still enough to get over the line. A big three points.β
That assessment reflects the broader challenge facing Arteta over the coming weeks. Saka's absence leaves a clear gap in terms of output and unpredictability, but the manager has options across the forward line and midfield to rotate into that role.
The win over Everton offers some early encouragement that the gap can be managed rather than allowed to disrupt Arsenal's campaign. Much will depend on whether those deputising for Saka can maintain this level of performance in the matches ahead, particularly as fixtures continue to come thick and fast.
For now, Arsenal have shown they can find a way to win without their first choice winger, and attention will turn to how long that pattern can be sustained before Saka is fit to return.
