Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that Bukayo Saka could play a more central role in future matches after a successful positional experiment during Arsenal’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic.
The England winger featured in an unfamiliar midfield role, and Arteta has now admitted the club may use that option again later this season.
The change matters because Saka has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers from the right wing, and moving him inside could reshape the club’s attacking style, especially with injuries forcing tactical adjustments.
What happened in Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Wigan?
Arsenal cruised past Wigan Athletic with a comfortable 4-0 victory, scoring four goals quickly to put the game out of reach early on.
The goals came from:
- Noni Madueke
- Gabriel Martinelli
- An own goal from Jack Hunt
- Gabriel Jesus
However, the biggest talking point wasn’t the scoreline; it was Saka’s starting position, which looked far closer to an attacking midfield role than his usual right-wing spot.
Arsenal’s strong first-half performance gave Arteta the chance to manage minutes too, and Saka came off at half-time.
Why did Mikel Arteta move Bukayo Saka out of his usual position?
Arteta didn’t originally plan to play Saka centrally. The Arsenal boss was forced into a late change after defender Riccardo Calafiori reportedly pulled up during the warm-up, which meant Arsenal had to reshuffle their shape quickly.
Instead of sticking to the original plan, Arteta brought Saka into the starting XI and placed him in a role normally associated with Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, who missed the match after picking up a knock.
Mikel Arteta explained the decision to play Bukayo Saka in a central role: “This is an option we’ve considered and wanted to test out, and it may feature in our plans going forward. With numerous games, competitions and different match situations still ahead this season, it’s a… pic.twitter.com/rNuug01Lyj
— Arsenal News (@ArsenalNews_Hub) February 16, 2026
The switch allowed Arsenal to keep balance in midfield while still keeping a serious attacking threat on the pitch.
What did Mikel Arteta say about using Saka in midfield?
After the match, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Saka playing centrally is something Arsenal may return to. “That’s something that’s a possibility, and I wanted to try it, and we might use it in the future.” Mikel Arteta
Arteta also stressed that the position requires intelligence and tactical awareness, suggesting he believes Saka has the football brain to succeed there.
“You need to understand the position, you need to understand the global intentions of the team… and I think he might have had a really good game.” Mikel Arteta
This wasn’t presented as a one-off experiment. Arteta clearly framed it as a tactical option Arsenal could use depending on injuries, opposition, or match situations.
Did Bukayo Saka perform well in his new Arsenal role?
Saka looked comfortable in the central area and combined well with Madueke, who stayed wide on the right.
Instead of hugging the touchline, Saka operated between midfield and attack, often receiving the ball in space and playing quick forward passes.
One key moment came when Saka delivered a dangerous cross that helped force Wigan defender Jack Hunt into an own goal.
While the match itself wasn’t Arsenal’s toughest test, the movement and fluidity in the team looked sharper than expected for such a late tactical change.
What did Martin Keown say about Saka’s position change?
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown also praised the experiment during the match coverage, suggesting it opened up Saka’s game.
“It’s interesting because Saka has played in the Ødegaard role… and it’s really opened him up.” Martin Keown
Keown added that Saka appeared confident and played with freedom. “He’s playing with freedom… both of them, that’s England’s right-hand side… too much for Wigan.” Martin Keown
His comments will likely fuel discussion among fans who have long wondered if Saka could influence games even more by playing closer to the goal.
Could this change Arsenal’s season under Mikel Arteta?
This could become more than a short-term solution. Saka’s usual right-wing role makes him predictable for some teams, as opponents often double-mark him and force him away from dangerous areas.
Playing him centrally could reduce that problem and make Arsenal harder to read.
If Arteta uses Saka in midfield again, it could also affect:
- Arsenal’s tactical shape in big matches
- Ødegaard’s long-term role
- How Arsenal manages squad rotation during busy fixture runs
- Which players start out wide in the Premier League
It may also help Arsenal deal with injuries without losing creativity.
Will Saka play midfield regularly, or is this just a backup plan?
At this stage, it looks more like a backup plan than a permanent shift.
Saka remains one of the best right-wingers in the Premier League, and Arsenal’s system relies heavily on his direct running and wide attacking threat.
However, Arteta’s words suggest he sees Saka as a flexible weapon, not just a winger.
With Arsenal competing across multiple competitions, Arteta may use this option again, particularly in cup games or matches where Arsenal need more control through the middle.
