Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal bounced back from the 3-0 defeat to Brighton prior to the international break and returned to winning ways against Leeds United, but Mikel Arteta's side did it the hard way.
The Whites, who have been impressive so far this season, opened the scoring through James Justin before Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes helped the Gunners complete a comeback.
There was no goal or assist for Bukayo Saka in his 90 minutes on the pitch, despite returning from the break buoyed by a brace for England. The starboy is yet to find his best form in an Arsenal shirt this campaign.
Alan Shearer: 'Bukayo Saka must take gambles'
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka
Saka has three goals to his name this season, netting against Coventry City, Aston Villa and Sunderland. However, it's fair to say that the 25-year-old has lacked the tenacity that saw him shoot into the limelight in North London.
The winger has not hit double figures for Premier League goals since the 2023/24 campaign, injuries plaguing his development during the prime of his career. The forward is still a vital cog in the Arsenal machine, but the question is being asked - how does Saka level up his game?
According to SofaScore, Saka had only registered one shot in his first 66 minutes against Leeds United and failed to complete any of his dribbles, as well as losing possession 12 times. The Standard rated the player a 5/10 for his efforts and branded his showing as 'really frustrating' and with 'no conviction'.
Bukayo Saka Premier League goals:
2018/19 0
2019/20 1
2020/21 5
2021/22 11
2022/23 14
2023/24 16
2024/25 6
2025/26 7
2026/27 3
If Saka wants to return to his best, there is a legendary Premier League goalscorer on hand to provide advice. Speaking on Match of the Day, Alan Shearer insisted that he would like to see Saka play more like a striker than a winger.
He said: "As brilliant a player as Saka is, he gets into this position so many times, if he was prepared to gamble and get across the defender and get to that six-yard line... but he does nothing there, nothing at all.
"He could get another four, five goals a season if he was prepared to do that more often."
Why does Saka hesitate on getting to the six-yard line?
The obvious answer to the question is that Saka is a winger. The Arsenal star does not take the central role at the Emirates Stadium and his primary job is to take on defenders and create opportunities, rather than poaching goals.
The BBC ran analysis on the player's role following the acquisition of talisman Viktor Gyokeres in the summer of 2025 and notes that Saka had been doing more work outside the area. That had impacted Saka's goal output, but not his influence in games.
Prior to the international break, according to FotMob, Saka is in the top 18% for successful crosses, top 25% for successful dribbles and top 6% for duels win percentage when compared with other Premier League wingers.
Saka has also had to endure persistent injury worries. Last season's Achilles tendonitis issue is not a problem that simply vanishes, and it's fair to say that the forward may have lost that little bit of pace needed to get into danger areas as a result.
Ethan Nwaneri in action for Borussia Dortmund
Ethan Nwaneri in action for Borussia Dortmund