MIKEL ARTETA is praying Declan Rice’s versatility can help Arsenal cope without Bukayo Saka.
A torn hamstring looks set to rule out England winger Saka until at least March in a massive blow to the Gunners’ title hopes.
Boss Arteta has been pondering how to set up the team in his absence — and midfielder Rice, 25, will be key to whatever he decides.
Three Lions enforcer Rice can operate in a defensive midfield role or further up the field.
And Arteta hinted he could be having a go at each of them in a busy festive period that kicks off with Friday night’s Premier League visit of Ipswich.
The Spaniard, 42, explained: “With the squad that we have, he needs to be versatile.
“With the qualities that he has, he needs to be versatile. With the brain that he has, he needs to be versatile. With the age that he is, he needs to be versatile.
“He can offer so much in relation to the opponent, to the needs in the squad. Putting Declan in a box, there’s no point in my opinion.”
The Gunners, who are six points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game extra, travel to Brentford and then Brighton in the league at the start of January.
Then, they host Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with the winners taking on Tottenham or Liverpool at Wembley.
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That all adds up to a host of opponents with markedly different styles and Arteta will be relying on Rice to keep the Gunners in shape.
The Emirates chief explained: “He’s going play as a No 6 against a low block in relation to what the nine does, he’s going to be with the centre-backs. If the No 10 is man-marking him, he’s going to have another role.”
Arsenal were struggling to score goals from open play before the Carabao Cup and Prem double-header with Crystal Palace.
A 3-2 win at home on Wednesday booked a semi-final berth — and that was followed by a 5-1 league romp at Selhurst Park on Saturday, which saw Saka limp off early on but Gabriel Jesus scored five times in those two matches.
How Arsenal set up against struggling Ipswich will depend on where Arteta deploys Kai Havertz, with the German able to play up front or in attacking midfield.
Arteta said: “It is always about that. If you cover something, you uncover something else. That is always the dilemma.
“We scored goals with Kai on the pitch and with Declan, who is a different profile.
“So, is it related to the players, is it related to the intentions of the team as individuals in certain moments of games and confidence? A lot of aspects play a part.”
Confidence is something Ipswich are lacking at the moment following Saturday’s 4-0 home thumping by Newcastle.
The Tractor Boys have still not won at Portman Road on their long-awaited Premier League return.
But they have triumphed twice on their travels — at Wolves earlier in the month and at Tottenham.
Gunners fans certainly enjoyed hearing about that one and Arteta declared himself a big admirer of Town manager Kieran McKenna.
McKenna, 38, has guided Ipswich from League One to the Premier League in successive seasons.
And Arteta added: “I have a lot of people who know him and they always say great things about him.
“They have been very unfortunate not getting the results they deserve. It’s a very tough game for sure.”
GABRIEL JESUS produced his first Premier League goals since January on a day he could have had a hat-trick to continue his good form.
Gabriel Martinelli impressed and got on the scoresheet but Arsenal did suffer a blow in the first half as Bukayo Saka limped off with injury, while William Saliba had a rare off day.
Here is how SunSport’s Martin Lipton rated the Gunners display at Selhurst Park.
David Raya – 8
Lucky to escape a “Fraser Forster” moment as he played Thomas Partey into all sorts of problems early on before he was beaten by Sarr’s curler soon afterwards.
But then bailed out Gabriel to foil Mateta when he seemed certain to equalise once again and made more key saves from Sarr and Mateta at the start of the second half. Often there at the biggest moments.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Dutch defender looked slightly uncomfortable at times on the right as he gave Palace far too much attacking leeway.
Booked for taking an age and a half over a throw-in as well although it was not a costly one.
William Saliba – 5
All over the place in the first half as he seemed determined to open the door to the home side.
Saliba stood off Sarr and paid the price as Palace levelled and then made another blunder only for Raya to save from Mateta. Not exactly a dominant performance.
Gabriel – 6
Saliba’s wobbles meant his partner-in-chief had to stand up and be counted more than normal but he was not at his best either and a booking after half an hour had him walking a tightrope.
More of the same after the break. Fortunately Palace’s defensive deficiencies took the sting out of their attacking armoury too.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Youngster is grabbing his unexpected opportunity to make a first-team impact with an understanding of the inverted nature of the Arsenal full-back role.
By some distance the best of the four defenders in the Arsenal back division.
Thomas Partey – 7
Asked to take care of the defensive midfield task but soon to the fore with the lay-off that allowed Jesus to put the Gunners back in front inside the first 14 minutes.
Did what was needed defensively and willing to venture forward when the opportunity was there. Solid throughout.
Martin Odegaard – 8
When the Norwegian turns up, Arsenal turn up.
At Selhurst, Odegaard was the orchestrator in chief from the start, dropping deep to pick up possession and then keeping it simple and effective. The skipper is a leader.
Kai Havertz – 8
Back in midfield having played most of the season up top but he was in the perfect centre-forward’s position to tap into the empty net when Jesus’ header came back off the post.
Home hands went up but there were only the five Palace defenders playing the German onside. A tidy display on the ball but did leave his side slightly open defensively.
Bukayo Saka – 7
The early loss of the England winger to a worrying knee injury could be a major blow to Arsenal’s title chances.
Always the out-ball, Saka had signalled his ongoing threat as he made space to deliver the cross that led to Jesus’ early opener. He could be missing for a while now.
Gabriel Jesus – 9
Midweek hat-trick against Glasner’s men earned him only fourth Prem start of the season and how he took the chance with the early double and another effort off the post that led to a simple Havertz goal.
The Brazilian had been waiting more than 10 months for a top flight goal and got two in eight minutes. One against the woodwork and another missed sitter, too. He must want to play Palace every week.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Took the corner that led to Jesus’ second but then switched to the right flank after Saka limped away and supplied the cross which ended with Havertz making it three before netting himself from close range.
Arteta will need that level of return from the Brazilian over the coming weeks if this title challenge is going to be a real one.
Subs:
Leandro Trossard (for Saka, 25) – 6
Belgian will have to step up if Saka is out for a long spell after his injury and his low cross ended up bringing the Arsenal fourth.
Declan Rice (for Havertz, 58) – 8
England star came on to secure the game after Arsenal’s sloppy start to the second half and set up Martinelli with his first touch before steering home the fifth.
Riccardo Calafiori (for Lewis-Skelly, 58) – 6
Martinelli’s strike meant the game was over before the Italian had touched the ball. That makes it easier.
Ethan Nwaneri (for Gabriel Jesus 86) N/A
