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Pundit Chris Sutton has revealed his fears for Arsenal in the absence of talismanic forward Bukayo Saka, as they prepare to face Brentford in the Premier League. The BBC pundit has predicted the Gunners to pick up a 1-0 win from their trip to West London on New Year's Day.
Arsenal are set to be without 23-year-old forward Saka after he underwent surgery for a hamstring tear he suffered against Crystal Palace earlier this month. The England international faces months out, potentially jeopardizing his side's title aspirations due to his importance to the team.
In his BBC column, Chris Sutton wrote about how Saka's absence may cause the Gunners to lose a bit of their edge, but he still predicted a win over Brentford. The pundit revealed that he expects Mikel Arteta's side to compete with Liverpool for the league title this season.
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"I am worried about Arsenal without Bukayo Saka, who has been ruled out for more than a couple of months. On top of that, Brentford away is obviously a very tough test when you consider how phenomenal the Bees have been at home this season.
"But I am backing the Gunners to run Liverpool close in the title race this season and, because of that, I am going with them to win this game, somehow."
Before his injury, Bukayo Saka contributed nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal this season. His absence was felt in the narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday, as the Gunners struggled to break down their opposition.
Arteta will have to rally his troops when they travel to the Gtech Stadium for a London derby. The Spanish manager will perhaps then look to go into the transfer market and sign a player to cover for Saka after the Brentford game.
Arsenal youngster earns praise from Rice after Ipswich showing
Arsenal teenage star Myles Lewis-Skelly has earned the praise of midfielder Declan Rice after another impressive display against Ipswich Town. The 18-year-old featured from the start as the Gunners picked up a narrow 1-0 win at home.
Mikel Arteta showed his trust in Lewis-Skelly despite having the trio of Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior, and Riccardo Calafiori on the bench. Rice hailed the teenager for his physical and technical qualities as well as his temperament, predicting a big future for him. He said (via Arsenal.com):
“He can go to the top, this kid is just special, very special. For an 18-year-old to be that good, that comfortable, that strong – it was like he was built in a lab!
“I said that to him the other day, it’s just ridiculous how good he is, but he has a long way to go. He’s so level-headed, he’s got a great family around him, I know his mum looks after him really well and all the boys at the training ground do too.
“We have a really good crop of youngsters coming through and he can be what he wants to be, he just needs to stay focused and always want more and he can do that.”
Lewis-Skelly has featured 11 times for Arsenal this season, his first as part of the club's first-team squad. The youngster featured in midfield in the academy but has proven himself to be very adaptable, playing at left-back in the senior side.
