Bukayo Saka transfer plan can solve Arsenal goal problem as Mikel Arteta calls for England rest

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Arsenal have been heavily reliant upon Bukayo Saka this season. The club's top scorer has developed significantly this season and will be expected to continue on this pathway to the elite level in the next campaign.

However, it has become apparent how tired Saka is in the second half of the season. The weight of being the creative and goalscoring spark for Arsenal has clearly taken its toll.

When looking at Saka's numbers, it is unsurprising that he has 13 goal contributions in the first half of matches but just five in the second. With Nicolas Pepe being so disappointing in his cameos this season bar Wolves, Arteta has been reluctant to rest the England international.

Subsequently, when asked ahead of the Everton match this weekend, Arteta confirmed that he needs the break — highlighting that a plan was in place.

“He needs a break, that is for sure,” Arteta said. “He has played a lot of minutes this season, and he played a lot of minutes last season.

“You expect your important players to do so, to have that ability and show the quality that Bukayo has shown consistently throughout the season. But obviously, you have to bear in mind that he needs to rest at some stage. That is something we really need to think about, the plans for him in the summer.”

Asked whether he would be