Bukayo Saka didn't please everybody with his remarks on the Premier League title race
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
06:00, 24 Dec 2025
Mikel Arteta and Bukayo Saka
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Bukayo Saka has sounded on Arsenal's role in the Premier League title race(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal are into the Carabao Cup semi-finals and top of the tree at Christmas after an excellent few days for the north Londoners.
Mikel Arteta's squad secured their position at the summit following a 1-0 victory at Everton last weekend, maintaining a two-point advantage over Manchester City heading into the festive period. While they survived a late Crystal Palace goal on Tuesday night to book their spot in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup via a penalty shootout victory.
Next up is a visit from Brighton on Saturday, which means it will be the fifth occasion Arsenal have led the table on Christmas Day. However, winning the league has eluded them on all four previous occasions that has happened. Despite the club's 21-year wait for the title, Bukayo Saka remains optimistic about their prospects – even though a former Premier League star has expressed doubts.
Those remarks – alongside an assessment of Viktor Gyokeres – form the centrepiece of our round-up covering the latest developments from the Emirates Stadium.
Saka pushback
Following Saturday's triumph against Everton, Saka suggested Arsenal are in the driving seat in the title race, despite City's formidable run of results. However, Rio Ferdinand has questioned that assessment.
Saka told Sky Sports: "There weren't really any emotions in it, we take them out. We focus on our job. Since last week we focused on winning here and we did that. We are back on top of the table but we aren't watching City too hard. We know if we win every week we will stay there. We are in control."
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Bukayo Saka (L) of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Viktor Gyoekeres (R) during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium
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Bukayo Saka insisted he maintains confidence in Arsenal's handling of the Premier League title race
However, Ferdinand believes Saka's remarks could be somewhat naive. On his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, the Manchester United great commented: "You [Arsenal] have been here before and ample crumbled! You've been here before and have seen your team crumble.
"That's why I feel that Saka can't really, genuinely be standing there and going, "We're in control"... not when you've got that beast City hanging about. Only minutes before, they were top of the league, above you. This team have won four on the bounce when you've been sitting there playing.
"You've led the league for many months and you've seen this team come out of nowhere and blitz you. So to feel that you're feeling in control right now, given what you've been through with them and the heartache that they've given you, I think that's probably the wrong words. I actually hope he [Saka] is right, I hope they do have control and they are thinking like that. I do!"
Gyokeres claim
Gyokeres has endured a sluggish beginning to his Arsenal career, managing just five league goals across his opening 15 outings. The Swedish forward cost the Gunners £64million during the summer transfer window following an exceptional two-season stint with Sporting CP.
Yet, despite his remarkable tally of 97 goals in 102 appearances in Portugal, former Chelsea forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has said he hopes Gyokeres isn't on a goal bonus after his middling start. Speaking to Ladbrokes at the launch of Ladisfaction, Hasselbaink said: "I'd like to think Viktor Gyokeres isn't on a goal bonus at Arsenal.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrating
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Viktor Gyokeres was Arsenal's matchwinner against Everton
"If I'm the director of football at that club, and I'm in charge of contracts, then I'd be very surprised and a bit disappointed if Gyokeres is asking for a goal bonus." While there has been no suggestion Gyokeres in indeed on a goal bonus, Hasselbaink continued: "You're coming in for a big fee, just ask for a big contract; don't ask for a bonus for scoring goals, because that's what you're being brought in to do... you're coming in to score goals, you know?
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"I can understand if you're a young striker who hasn't proven himself yet – although I still don't really like it. I never had that bonus in my contract. Never. It makes sense for a midfielder, or a defender maybe. But a striker? Especially one who is coming in to be your main man, who knows he's going to play? No.
"The thing I don't like about those bonuses is that you'll find yourself in a position as a striker where there's someone in a better position than you who could be guaranteed to score a goal if you pass it, but because you've got a goal bonus in your contract, you're probably going to be more likely to shoot yourself. I don't like it. I'd much rather incentivise the whole team for goals scored... a big bonus for that, rather than one for individuals."
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