Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown recently shared his thoughts with *Football Insider* on Arsenal’s efforts to improve their squad depth ahead of the January transfer window.
One of Arsenal’s primary goals, according to Brown, is to ensure that key players like Bukayo Saka have more opportunities to rest without affecting the overall performance of the team.
Saka has been a crucial player for Arsenal, regularly delivering outstanding performances.
However, the club has struggled to find adequate cover for him.
This issue has become more apparent with Raheem Sterling, who joined the Gunners on loan, failing to make a significant impact during his time at the Emirates.
As a result, Mikel Arteta has been heavily reliant on Saka, forcing the young star to play a considerable amount of football despite his age.
This over-reliance on Saka has raised concerns, as he has been involved in an immense number of matches at just 23 years old.
While his contribution to the team is undeniable, there is a growing recognition that giving him more rest could benefit both the player and the team in the long run.
Arsenal is keen to find ways to rotate Saka without compromising the overall quality of the squad, ensuring that his performance levels remain consistent throughout the season while minimizing the risk of injury or burnout.
In his discussion, Brown emphasized Arsenal’s plans to strengthen their squad in the upcoming transfer window.
He explained that part of his role as a chief scout was to ensure the team was prepared for potential injuries, especially for key players like Saka, who play such a central role in the team’s success.
Brown noted that while Arsenal has made significant strides in competing with Premier League rivals such as Manchester City, one area where they still lag behind is in squad depth.
He pointed out that Manchester City has a roster of players who can seamlessly step into the starting lineup without a noticeable drop in quality.
In contrast, Arsenal is still working to reach that level of depth.
Brown acknowledged that Arteta and the club are aware of this gap and are actively working to address it by targeting key players in the transfer market.
Strengthening their options on the wing, particularly by adding competition for Saka, would allow Arsenal to maintain their momentum in the Premier League and other competitions.
Overall, Brown’s insights highlight Arsenal’s commitment to building a squad capable of competing at the highest level, both domestically and in Europe.
While they have made substantial progress in recent years, especially under Arteta’s management, the next step for Arsenal is to ensure they have the depth to cope with the demands of a long season, including injuries and fixture congestion.
By addressing this issue in the January transfer window, Arsenal could further solidify their position as serious title contenders and offer Saka the support he needs to continue flourishing on the pitch.
