Arteta aired Bukayo Saka frustrations during Arsenal win as he makes Xhaka claim

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has compared Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka's ability to perform at left-back and has delivered his verdict on who works best in this role.

The Gunners were forced to abandon plans to start the Swiss midfielder in their Europa League semi-final second leg with Villarreal after the experienced midfielder got injured in the pre-match warm-up.

Saka was not selected in defence versus Villarreal meanwhile but started at left-back for the team in yesterday's 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Arteta could be heard shouting instructions to the 19-year-old throughout the match as the Gunners' boss tried to advise the youngster on which positions to take up.

"B, second ball – go!" said Arteta as he encouraged Saka to make an overlapping run to help his teammates on the attack.

And Saka’s rustiness in the position frustrated Arteta in the first-half as he shouted out: "B, wider! Not wide enough!", having developed a more central position than the manager wanted.

Saka assisted teammate Emile Smith Rowe for the game's opening goal, impressing from an attacking point of view for Arsenal.

But it was clear from a response delivered in Arteta's post-match interview that it is Xhaka who he prefers in the left-back slot.

Asked if he regretted playing Saka in midfield instead of full-back in the Gunners' Europa League second leg stalemate with Villarreal, he responded: "No. I regret that Granit could not start, that is my big regret."

The left-back position has become somewhat of an issue for Arsenal this season, with first-choice starter Kieran Tierney ruled out through injury at varying points of the campaign.

Tierney has missed a total of ten Premier League matches since September and has only recently returned to full fitness.

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