Bukayo Saka has managed just seven goals from open play this season with Gary Lineker issuing an honest verdict of his Arsenal struggles
Bukayo Saka has been sent a clear Arsenal message by Gary Lineker
Bukayo Saka has been sent a clear Arsenal message by Gary Lineker(Image: (Photo by Kieran McManus/Shutterstock))
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Micah Richards, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have all discussed Bukayo Saka's dip in form following Arsenal's deflating 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. The 24-year-old has managed just nine goals this season and failed to make a lasting impact on the big stage for his boyhood club.
Mikel Arteta's squad have not claimed a trophy since capturing the 2020 FA Cup, whilst the Gunners' most recent League Cup success arrived in 1993. Arsenal nevertheless maintain a dominant position in the Premier League with Arteta's side nine points ahead as they pursue a first championship since 2004.
The Gunners also secured advantageous fixtures in the FA Cup and Champions League quarter-finals next month. Arteta's outfit face Championship side Southampton and Portugal's Sporting in their quest to progress to the semi-finals of both knockout competitions.
Yet numerous Arsenal attacking players have endured struggles for consistency in recent weeks, with Saka amongst those stars to experience a challenging period. The winger has managed just two league strikes since December - having sat out two matches through injury in late January and early February.
And former Man City defender Richards has offered his verdict on the England international whilst analysing Arsenal's defeat on Sunday with Lineker and Shearer on the Rest is Football Podcast.
He said: "When you've got Saka and [Leandro] Trossard and [Gabriel] Jesus, this is where you separate the men from the boys. First, I think it comes from the manager, because I think they're having to do too much defensive work.
"When they're getting on the ball, they're having to travel too far up the pitch, and I've said that consistently throughout the season. Then it's about the players now taking the responsibility, because they have good players, Saka is a top player, but we're not seeing it because one, the setup, and then two, he's out of form.
"He needs to now say, 'OK, we've lost this, it's not the end of the world, what can I do to make sure in the Champions League, in the FA Cup, and in the league, I'm the Saka that everyone knows and loves', because that's a big player. Big players turn up in the big games, and that's what they need to do."
Lineker then chipped in and stated that Saka will be unable to improve his form in front of goal given the tactics deployed by Mikel Arteta.
Bukayo Saka and Arsenal teammates react
Bukayo Saka has to do a significant amount of defensive work for Arsenal
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He said: "But can he do it the way they're playing? Like, you said, they get the ball deep, and he's having to do so much defensive work, and by the time he gets it they're all back and deep and they can double and sometimes treble up on him.
"He still plays brilliantly, but it's not easy for him, whereas, if they were, like you said, higher up the pitch, they could get the ball to him early and then he's one on one and you've got half a chance. It's very difficult to beat two or three players every time."
Former Newcastle United forward Shearer, however, is convinced that Arsenal won't alter their strategy - a sentiment Lineker shares.
Shearer added: "They're not changing, though, between now and the end of the season." To which Lineker responded: "It's worked for them so far, that's why, isn't it?"
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