If you told Arsenal fans at the start of the season that they would be seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with nine games remaining, they would easily have expected Bukayo Saka to be a player of the year candidate. However, this is not always the case.
The Hale End-born player was selected by Arsenal at just 19 years old and is beginning to show signs of being a player entrusted with heroic responsibilities.
At that time, those heroic acts were very important. That’s why the Gunners are where they are, but it comes at a cost for Saka.
It will be up to Mikel Arteta to find a solution and get the best out of the player who struggled against Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal’s Saka problem
At 24 years old, Saka should be at his peak. Arsenal’s attack should be centered around one of the most successful Hale End graduates in recent history.
If anything, he has proven to be part of the problem for a team that often struggles to adapt as quickly as it does in open play.
Bukayo Saka PL Statistics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
status | 23/24 | 24/25 | 25/26 |
the goal | 16 | 6 | 6 |
assist | 9 | 10 | 3 |
dribbling success | 49 | 41 | 48 |
An opportunity has arisen | 91 | 58 | 50 |
xG | 15.5 | 6.85 | 6.85 |
minutes | 2,933 | 1,735 | 1,911 |
Saka has clearly shown signs of decline since the 23/24 season, when he was involved in 24 goals. What was particularly noticeable about this decline was how much chance creation had fallen.
Despite Arsenal signing an absolute goalscorer in Victor Gokeres last summer, Saka has only provided three assists and created 50 chances so far this season, fewer than last season despite playing more minutes.
It could be an indication of the type of players the England international can thrive with. In the 23/24 season, when either Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz were leading the line, Saka achieved the best numbers of his career.
That may be one solution for Arteta, but it is not the only one. The Spaniard will also need to look at other players around Saka at this stage of the season.
With the games fast approaching, releasing one of Arsenal’s key players could help revive their winger.
How Arteta can get more out of Saka
There is no better right-back in the Premier League this season than Julian Timber. But that means it will be difficult to find another right-back who has started 27 of the 29 league games this season.
It’s a credit to the Dutchman’s consistency, but it’s worth pointing out that even he is not immune to the fatigue of the Premier League calendar, and there have been plenty of signs of that lately.
It was an unforgettable and special night for the £34m defender against Leverkusen, but he was far from able to break Saka down the right. As Arsenal reporter Conor Hamm pointed out, Timber simply “looks stuck” at this stage of the season.
Timber vs Leverkusen | statistics |
|---|---|
minutes | 90 |
Duel victory | 2/3 |
Contribution in defense | 2 |
collect | 3 |
advance to the final third | 3 |
It’s not like Arsenal are used to seeing performances from the 24-year-old. The true story behind his exit in Germany can be seen by comparing his performances for most of the campaign.
This season, Timber has averaged more than five successful ground attacks per 90 minutes, but against Leverkusen he had two. Furthermore, he tends to create one chance per game on average, but he failed to create one in Wednesday night’s Bundesliga game.
Coupled with just three passes into the final third, they couldn’t help Saka. Given his own struggles, consistent service is the bare minimum required for England.
That’s what he currently doesn’t receive from the battered Timbers, and he should get Timber off before Arsenal face a result far worse than a Champions League first-leg draw.
Arsenal blame two players for Saka’s poor performance against Leverkusen
Bukayo Saka is in a slump at Arsenal.
