David Seaman names Arsenal player who should play against Bournemouth if Bukayo Saka is injured
Legendary Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman believes Raheem Sterling could take over from Bukayo Saka if the England winger is injured. This comes ahead of their Premier League outing against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, October 19.
Saka could miss the clash against the Cherries after picking up an injury during the international break. He had to be subbed in the 51st minute of England's Nations League encounter against Greece on October 10.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has a number of players who could start on the right wing if Saka cannot play against Bournemouth. Of the available options, David Seaman believes the manager should pick Raheem Sterling. The former goalkeeper said on the Seaman Says podcast (via Metro):
"Bukayo Saka looks like he’s not going to be involved which is a blow. But we’ve got players on the bench. Even though Bukayo could be out, it will probably give a chance to Raheem so that’s a really good replacement."
"Speed worries defenders, doesn’t it? It’s the worst thing ever. You don’t have to be that brainy to get on the end of some of the passes that get put through but speed embarrasses people."
Raheem Sterling has struggled to find minutes since his loan switch from Chelsea to Arsenal in the summer transfer window. He has played five games in all competitions, with a goal and assist in 184 minutes on the pitch so far.
David Seaman believes Arsenal are "genuine contenders" for the Premier League title
David Seaman expects Arsenal to remain firmly in the race for the Premier League title this season. The Gunners finished second, behind Pep Guardiola-led juggernauts Manchester City, in the previous two seasons and will be hoping to go all the way in this campaign.
Seaman said (via Metro):
"We’re now genuine contenders. It’s taken us a while to get back to that but that’s what we are now. Obviously, they [Manchester City] have got Rodri out, he’s going to be out for the rest of the season it looks like, and that’s a massive loss."
Speaking about the upcoming match against Bournemouth, he called for caution:
"It’s going to be tough. These are the games that tripped us up last season. These are the ones you expect to win and then all of a sudden you’re coming off the back of it with nothing, no points."
"That’s where we need to improve. Our problem wasn’t actually playing against Manchester City last season because we took four points off them… it was the other games that we certainly need to be better at."
Arsenal are currently third in the Premier League standings, just one point behind leaders Liverpool. Bournemouth, on the other hand, are 13th in the table with eight points from seven matches.