“Gyokeres will score four good goals if that guy start with him upfront there”: Mikel Arteta advised to bench Saka and replace with a selfless player who could hand Viktor Gyokeres his first Arsenal hat-trick

Arsenal are heading into Sunday’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium riding a wave of extraordinary form. Mikel Arteta’s men have hit their stride at precisely the right moment, registering six consecutive victories across all competitions while conceding just one goal. The Gunners’ balance between defensive stability and attacking flair has drawn praise from pundits across England, but one piece of advice directed at Arteta ahead of the weekend has set tongues wagging — the suggestion that Bukayo Saka should be benched.

The idea, which has caused plenty of debate among fans, is that Saka’s individualistic style might not be what Arsenal need to unleash Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker, who recently broke a frustrating nine-game goalless run with a confident brace against Atletico Madrid, is believed to thrive when paired with a more unselfish attacking partner. According to insiders, if Arteta opts to start a selfless, team-oriented player beside Gyokeres, the forward could very well deliver his first Arsenal hat-trick.

Those comments came after Arsenal’s emphatic 4–0 demolition of Atletico Madrid in midweek Champions League action — a game that not only boosted morale but showcased the side’s collective sharpness. Gyokeres’ pressing intensity, link-up play, and movement behind the lines caused havoc, while Gabriel Magalhães dominated defensively. The victory reaffirmed Arsenal’s growing maturity in big European nights and hinted that the team might finally be ready to sustain a title challenge on multiple fronts.

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, face an uphill battle. Oliver Glasner’s side hosted AEK Larnaca in the Conference League just 65 hours before their trip to north London — a brutal turnaround for a squad unaccustomed to the rhythm of midweek European competition. While Arsenal enjoyed four full days of rest and preparation, Palace are left scrambling for recovery time. That imbalance alone could spell trouble.

Palace’s domestic form hasn’t exactly inspired confidence either. Despite flashes of brilliance from Eberechi Eze and Odsonne Édouard, the Eagles have struggled to find consistency. Their 3–3 draw against Bournemouth exposed defensive frailties and an inability to close out games, problems that Arsenal’s fluid attack is likely to exploit. For Glasner, squad rotation has been minimal — a decision that may come back to haunt him when his fatigued players face the Premier League’s most dynamic front line.

Arsenal’s momentum looks unstoppable at the moment. With Declan Rice dictating tempo from midfield and Martin Ødegaard orchestrating attacks, the Gunners have become a relentless machine. But amid this dominance, the conversation around Saka’s role remains intriguing. His flair and directness are unquestionable, but some analysts argue that a more cooperative wide player — someone willing to stretch defenses and prioritize service to Gyokeres — could yield devastating results.

Arteta’s tactical flexibility will likely dictate how the match unfolds. The manager has often experimented with positional rotations, deploying Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Jesus in support roles. Some insiders believe starting Trossard instead of Saka could give Arsenal a more balanced attacking triangle — one focused on interplay and spatial awareness rather than isolated dribbling battles. If executed correctly, this adjustment could give Gyokeres the space and confidence to deliver the kind of clinical performance Arsenal fans have been craving.

There’s also a psychological layer to this fixture. Arsenal are not just chasing three points; they’re chasing validation — proof that their evolution under Arteta is entering its mature phase. Last season’s 2–2 draw against Palace at the Emirates still lingers in memory as a reminder of dropped opportunities and lapses in concentration. A dominant win on Sunday would not only stretch their winning streak to seven but also underline their credentials as genuine title contenders.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace arrive wounded, tired, and without much tactical surprise to offer. Their narrow setup could leave them vulnerable to Arsenal’s width and overlapping full-backs. If Arteta’s men manage to score early, the match could quickly turn into a statement performance — one where Gyokeres, in particular, takes center stage. Many fans are eager to see whether Arteta’s rumored change in the attacking setup might finally unleash the Swede’s full potential.

For now, the Emirates crowd is preparing for what could be another electric afternoon. The home side are brimming with belief, confidence, and unity. Every player seems to understand their role in Arteta’s system — from Ben White’s disciplined support runs to Ødegaard’s surgical through-balls. But all eyes will be on one question: will Arteta take the bold step of benching Saka to prioritize chemistry over stardom?

If he does, and if Gyokeres delivers on his promise, Arsenal might not just win — they might dominate. A hat-trick from the Swede would send shockwaves through the league and cement his arrival as the lethal striker Arsenal have long been missing. Whatever Arteta decides, Sunday’s derby promises high stakes, high energy, and potentially a defining moment in Arsenal’s season.