Bukayo Saka won Arsenal a point with a goal and an assist against Standard Liege on Thursday, and he may have to step up now in the potential absence of Nicolas Pepe.

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LIEGE, BELGIUM – DECEMBER 12: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal battles for possession with Mehdi Carcela of Standard Liege during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Standard Liege and Arsenal FC at Stade Maurice Dufrasne on December 12, 2019, in Liege, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Saka burst onto the scene with the Arsenal first team at the start of the campaign, with goals and assists against Frankfurt, Manchester United and Liverpool.

As Arsenal’s results grew worse under Unai Emery, Saka stopped getting chances in the league. He last started a game on October 21st, only making three PL substitute appearances in seven matches since then. Only one since Freddie Ljungberg took over.

Thanks to an injury to Kieran Tierney, Saka got another chance in the Europa League on Thursday. The winger had to play at wing-back, which wasn’t ideal, but he really caught the eye against Liege.

In the end, it was Saka’s goal and assist that dragged Arsenal back from 2-0 down. His efforts won them a point and ensured they finished top of the group. He now has seven goal contributions in nine senior starts this season.

https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1205210080163045376

Meanwhile, the first-choice team are in need of a winger. The side couldn’t win a single game starting Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front as a pair, but they finally got a victory on the board with Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe out wide on Monday. Unfortunately, Pepe then picked up an injury.

With Pepe out and Lacazette-Aubameyang not working, someone has to step up. From the looks of things, Saka is ready to do so.