Micah Richards believes an over-reliance on Bukayo Saka could cost Arsenal in the title race and says other players need to step up to get the Gunners over the line.
Saka created both goals as Arsenal avoided the disappointment of dropping points to one of the worst teams in Premier League history with a 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday.
The dramatic victory ensured Arsenal, chasing their first league title since 2004, remain two points above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side have emerged as title favourites despite the fact not a single Arsenal player has reached five goals this season, with Saka, Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard all on four.
Richards says Arsenal are ‘too reliant’ on Saka for creativity in the final third and has urged other forwards to ‘do more’ to contribute to the Gunners’ title charge.
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The ex-Manchester City and England defender believes one solution would be for Arteta to play both Saka and Noni Madueke in the same team.
Madueke has predominately been back-up to Saka since his £50m summer move from Chelsea but Richards believes Arteta needs ‘both on the pitch’.
‘I feel Arsenal have a little bit of a conundrum because Noni Madueke is playing really well and Bukayo Saka is their best player,’ Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast.
‘You need them both on the pitch at the same time although Madueke is not that great on the left-hand side, he’s way better from the right.
‘If you look at Arsenal’s goals and the way they tried to break Wolves down, they need to do a little bit more.
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‘They’re too reliant on Saka all the time. If you look at at Trossard and Martinelli, they need to do what Saka is doing from the left.
‘It feels like all the dangerous play comes from Saka and the right-hand side. Eze needs to do more as well.
‘That’s how teams are going to set up against Arsenal now, with that low block, because they’re the team to beat.
‘So Arsenal need to show a bit more imagination now – you can’t keep replying on Saka to dig something out, it needs to be shared around.’
Madueke enjoyed his best day in an Arsenal shirt in last week’s Champions League victory over Club Brugge, scoring twice as the Gunners ran out 3-0 winners.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown said Madueke ‘put down a marker’ in the game and wondered whether he should get a regular spot in the team going forwards.
‘When you start looking forward and think about Arsenal’s best XI, you wonder if Madueke ends up on the left,’ Keown said.
‘Saka will likely stay on the right. We haven’t seen them available together much this season due to their injuries but that could be an option going forward.’
Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge faces another test this weekend when Arteta and his side visit Everton.
The Gunners drew 1-1 in this fixture last season, while Everton also frustrated Arsenal in the away game, drawing 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
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