As Matchday 3 of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/premier-league" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> shows, Arsenal will play Liverpool in arguably the best game of the weekend. While the Reds are coming guns blazing, the Gunners are missing two of their best offensive players in Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, which might put them in the underdogs department.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/martin-odegaard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martin Odegaard</a> is not in the starting lineup but he is on the bench. The Norwegian attacking midfielder suffered a shoulder injury last week against Leeds United, but might be able to play if Mikel Arteta decides to put him in.



Odegaard is usually the one who commands the tempo on offense as his ability to create chances is something special. The left-footed player also brings dinamic in the center of the field opening spaces for other players to do their harm.



<h2>Why is Bukayo Saka not playing?</h2>



As for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bukayo-saka" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saka</a>, he is not even on the bench for this game. The academy product has a hamstring injury, also suffered against Leeds. Saka has dealt with plenty of injuries during the last couple of seasons, which is alarming, as he is a very young player and is already racking up injuries.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250831_BUS_482582_bukayo-saka-1024x576_a775f2da.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Saka is Arsenal&apos;s top star" class="wp-image-242177" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during a UEFA Champions League game.</figcaption></figure>



Saka, when healthy, might be the team’s best player coming down the right wing. Also left footed, he cuts inside to either shoot or create space for an overlaping fullback. In the end, without him, they lose a stellar dribbler and a top-tier creator.


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<h2>Who are replacing both Odegaard and Saka?</h2>



Usually playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, manager Mikel Arteta had to call an audible and change schemes. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/arsenal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arsenal</a> will present a 4-3-3 as they lost their ‘number 10’ in Odegaard. Hence, Zubimendi and Declan Rice will still be on the lineup, but Mikel Merino will take a spot in the starting XI as an additional central midfielder.



As for Saka’s replacement, new signing Noni Madueke will take the right wing spot. Madueke is more of a natural replacement for Saka, as he shares plenty of skills with Saka. They are both speedy, left-footed players. While Saka is a much more skillful player in terms of ball control and technique, Madueke’s speed and one-on-one ability could prove fruitful for the Gunners.

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Why are Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka not playing for Arsenal vs Liverpool today, August 31? - Bolavip US

miniaturas

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/arsenal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arsenal</a> are determined to end their 22-year drought without a Premier League title. Last season, they pushed Manchester City to the brink, falling just six points short of the trophy. This year, Mikel Arteta’s squad is ready to contend again, delivering a commanding 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Matchday 17. However, the triumph was overshadowed by concern, as Bukayo Saka was forced to leave the game after just 24 minutes in the first half. After the game, Arteta admitted the team is seriously concerned about this situation.



“We are pretty worried about Saka’s injury,” said Arteta, who added: “He grabbed his hamstring and couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed but we are pretty worried, yes.”



It is no surprise Arteta is concerned. Bukayo Saka is not only the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/premier-league" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a>‘s top assist provider but also Arsenal’s second-highest scorer this season with five goals. Beyond the numbers, he is the engine of Arsenal’s offense, a player through whom much of their attacking play flows. A product of Arsenal’s youth academy, Saka has grown into a star and a leader, making him the club’s most indispensable player.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/bukayo-saka" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bukayo Saka</a> was filmed leaving Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Pak Stadium on crutches:



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Saka leaving Palace on crutches, not looking great <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/arsenal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#arsenal</a> <a href="https://t.co/N3Jnd7bS8x">pic.twitter.com/N3Jnd7bS8x</a>— Joao Castelo-Branco (@j_castelobranco) <a href="https://twitter.com/j_castelobranco/status/1870561869053960330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The extent of Bukayo Saka’s injury is still unknown, but these images worry the whole team because he could not even leave the stadium by his own means. Bukayo joins the list of injured players: Raheem Sterling, Ben White, O. Zinchenko and T. Tomiyasu. Undoubtedly, the load of matches is affecting the health of professional players, who increasingly have more frequent injuries of greater severity.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="631" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241222_BUS_297762_saka_goal_city_arsenal_penaltyjpg_242310155-1024x631_c82d6658.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=631" alt="" class="wp-image-214085" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/saka_goal_city_arsenal_penaltyjpg_242310155-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/saka_goal_city_arsenal_penaltyjpg_242310155-300x185.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/saka_goal_city_arsenal_penaltyjpg_242310155-768x474.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/saka_goal_city_arsenal_penaltyjpg_242310155.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Martin Odegaard</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Who should step up and replace Bukayo Saka for the following matches?</h2>



We already know that Bukayo Saka is irreplaceable for Arsenal, but the following matches are very important to get on track and maintain the fight for the Premier League. The main candidate to replace him would be the Brazilian, Gabriel Martinelli. Although his ideal position is as a left winger, he has already played as a right winger and his speed, dribbling and definition would be key to maintain the high competitiveness of the team.


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In addition to Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, the team’s other Brazilian player, could gain the prominence he expressed his desire for in the following games. Gabriel Jesus has never been a normal striker, he has always been seen as a modern striker and therefore is able to adapt to the left and right wings without any problem. His reading of the game and dribbling could be very useful despite not being the fastest winger. His talent for scoring goals could be vital alongside Kai Havertz with whom they could exchange heights and confuse opposing defenders.

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As Arsenal continue their push to challenge Manchester City’s dominance in the Premier League, one of their standout players, 23-year-old Bukayo Saka, has openly expressed his admiration for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>. 



In a recent Amazon Prime Video Sport segment where he answered quickfire questions, the English winger didn’t hesitate to name Ronaldo as his favorite player growing up.



This isn’t the first time Saka has spoken highly of Ronaldo. In an interview with Adam Talks, Saka shared his excitement about being handed the No. 7 jersey, just like his childhood idol.



“Cristiano Ronaldo was my idol growing up. He wore—still wears—the number 7. He’s CR7,” Saka said. “It was a dream come true for me to be given the number 7, and I’m trying to achieve some of the things he’s done, especially for my club.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="694" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240929_BUS_242137_GettyImages-2175269923-1024x694_c6461e69.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=694" alt="" class="wp-image-242181" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-2175269923-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-2175269923-300x203.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-2175269923-768x520.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-2175269923-1536x1040.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-2175269923-2048x1387.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>The ‘Play Safe’ Premier League captain’s armband, seen worn on the arm of Bukayo Saka of Arsenal. Julian Finney/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



He continued, “With the 7, I’m going to try to accomplish big things with this club because they showed a lot of faith in me by giving me that number, considering all the legends who’ve worn it before me.”




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<h2>Zidane picks CR7 as the greatest player ever</h2>



Back in 2017, legendary French manager <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/zinedine-zidane">Zinedine Zidane</a>, while coaching Real Madrid, lavished praise on Ronaldo after the Portuguese star secured another Ballon d’Or, edging out Lionel Messi in one of soccer’s most heated rivalries.



“Cristiano is the greatest player in the history of football. Many players have made history, but what he has achieved, no one else has done. The numbers speak for themselves, it’s truly remarkable,” said Zidane.

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Tony Adams knows a thing or two about <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Video-Arsenal-set-to-play-MLS-All-Star-game-USMNT-GK-Matt-Turner-training-his-Gunners-teammates-20230321-0007.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arsenal</a>, the legendary hard nose defender played for the club from 1983-2002, for 672 games and 49 goals in 19 seasons. Adams would win 13 titles wearing an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Mesut-zil-retires-top-moments-from-the-former-Arsenal-Real-Madrid-and-Germany-star-20230322-0005.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arsenal</a> kit, making him one of the biggest legends of all time.
Recently Adams wrote an editorial for The Sun in England and mentioned that he believes that Arsenal has a special talent on their hands in 21-year-old, Bukayo Saka.<a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21866465/bukayo-saka-lionel-messi-arsenal-tony-adams/" rel="no,follow noopener" target="_blank"> Adams</a> mentioned that he was in shock that “<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Man-City-star-Erling-Haaland-facing-possible-fine-for-using-phone-at-wheel-20230328-0010.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manchester City</a> paid £100 million to sign Jack Grealish 18 months ago, I couldn’t believe that they didn’t even try to buy Bukayo Saka.”
Saka is a very talented winger, who does most of his damage on the right and already has 36 goals in 164 games for Arsenal. Saka was also a part of the English side at the FIFA 2022 World Cup. Adams went as far as comparing the Ealing native to Argentine superstar <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Lionel-Messi-scores-his-100th-goal-with-Argentina-against-Curacao-Video-20230328-0041.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lionel Messi</a>.
<h2>Tony Adams compares Bukayo Saka to Lionel Messi</h2>
“I’m sure (Arsenal will) give Bukayo that hefty new contract to keep him at the Emirates because they know he is irreplaceable. If there’s a better player in world football at the moment, someone who both scores and makes goals, the only one I can think of is Lionel Messi. Bukayo is absolutely on fire and the reason Arsenal are top of the table.”
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230329_BUS_217764_bukayo_saka_crop1680097867372.jpg_22069893_fafa7a0f.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption> Bukayo Saka (Getty Images) </figcaption></figure>
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Saka has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists this season in the Premier League, Adams continued to endorse Saka heavily in his editorial, “Bukayo is, hands down, the Footballer of the Year because he was England’s best player at the World Cup, and he’s been the best player for the team eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.”
Saka could very well be the best prospect of English soccer at the moment, although time will tell if he can even get on par with a Lionel Messi, who last night scored a hat-trick for Argentina giving him 102 goals in his national team career.
 
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