Arsenal
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Arsenal edged Manchester United 1-0 in their Premier League opener at Old Trafford, but former United defender Paul Parker has questioned Bukayo Saka’s performance, warning that the winger has become “too predictable.”
The decisive moment came in the 13th minute when Riccardo Calafiori’s header secured all three points for Mikel Arteta’s side. Yet, despite the victory, Parker voiced concerns about Arsenal’s attack, singling out Saka for criticism.
The 23-year-old struggled to impose himself, completing only three of his eight attempted dribbles and registering a single shot on goal. Speaking to Metro via 7Bet Football Betting, Parker said: “When you talk about Saka, I think he needs to get different pictures in his game.
“Everything is the same. He hasn’t got tremendous pace. Has he really got a trick to go past people? No – he’s looking for people to dive in all the time.”
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Saka is still working his way back to full form after a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined earlier this year. Since returning in April, the England international has managed just one goal in his last ten league appearances, a dip from his usual prolific standards.
Parker added: “If you stop his run, then he hasn’t really got anything else in my opinion. Everything is about him fainting and then checking back and crossing it, but then you have to have midfield players who are going to make those runs into the box.”
Bukayo Saka against Manchester United
Bukayo Saka against Manchester United (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal’s overall attacking play also lacked sharpness on Sunday, with summer signing Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli struggling to make an impact. Parker suggested that Saka’s one-dimensional approach could become a limiting factor, particularly in high-pressure away matches.
“The game was away from home which does make a difference, and maybe when the set-up is different at home that will be allowed to happen,” he noted, hinting that tactical adjustments may be needed.
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Arteta, however, chose to highlight his team’s determination rather than their attacking flaws. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he said: “We came here away and won, which is a big result. We were clearly not at our best. We showed a resilience and a will to win.”
Parker also cast doubt on Arsenal’s title credentials, stressing that the Gunners must now prove they can cope with increased expectations after three consecutive second-place finishes.
“I’m still not sure about Arsenal, but they are in the position that Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have been in in the past where people are now expecting more from you all the time,” he said. “Now you have to look at the manager and how he deals with it, but he isn’t always the best person to handle something.”
Arsenal will look to silence those doubts when they face Leeds United next before a major clash with Liverpool at Anfield on August 31, a fixture likely to provide a clearer picture of their title ambitions.
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