Bukayo Saka playing for Arsenal
Arsenal legend David O'Leary has declared Bukayo Saka isn't proving why he is on £300,000-a-week with his recent performances.
Saka, who signed a big-money new Gunners deal in February, has scored three goals in eight appearances this season across all appearances.
4Saka hasn't chipped in with a goal contribution in his last two Premier League matchesCredit: Getty
The England international is the seventh-highest paid player in the Premier League - earning over £15million per year.
He is the best paid player at Arsenal - but the club's record appearance maker, O'Leary, thinks he hasn't justified that tag.
Saka started the season well, scoring two in two against Coventry and Aston Villa, but since then, he has only netted once in five outings in all competitions - last scoring on September 12 away at Sunderland.
In 90 minutes against Leeds on Saturday afternoon, he managed just two shots and attempted one dribble at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta's side won the game 2-1 after coming from behind, but Saka didn't have a hand in any of the goals and also missed a chance in the final moments to make it 3-1 to the Gunners.
It has left O'Leary, won two league titles during his 18-year spell at Highbury between 1975-1993, wanting more from the 25-year-old, pointing out where he thinks his game is lacking at the moment.
What has David O'Leary said about Saka?
The Arsenal icon has advised Saka to stay on his feet more, berating him for going down too easily when challenged.
"I honestly don't think he is [in top form]," O'Leary began on talkSPORT's Sunday Edition. "I really like the guy.
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"But I do think one thing, seeing him grow up and get into the team before everyone knew how good he was, I think he goes down too much now.
"I think he's looking for that touch to go down and the player I saw before that was much more positive, he was not going to let the full-back put him on the deck, or anybody else.
4O'Leary believes Saka has changed the way he plays, falling over too much now, rather than taking defenders onCredit: Getty
"He's not the player that he was, without a doubt.
"He's still a top player, but is he the player that got this fantastic new contract at Arsenal to make him one of the top-paid players in the country? I don't think so at the moment."
On what he thinks has changed regarding Saka, O'Leary added: "I'd love to give you an honest answer on that, the guy hasn't changed, we haven't got the arrogant side.
"I don't know what's happened. But when I look at the team and how it's progressing, whose playing well and how great Declan Rice was yesterday, I think Saka has to step up again.
"If he does step up, Arsenal become a more powerful team."
Why does Saka go down so easily?
O'Leary was then asked whether he thinks Saka could be going down too often to avoid strong contact after some heavy challenges from opponents when rising up in the Premier League.
4Saka has been the subject of some tough tackling during his rise up the ranks in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
"That's a good point," he replied. "It looks to be that way, he sees that coming, he is a target as him on his day is a big threat.
"But at times he's waiting for things and he should be stronger than that and override that and know this is what comes with the territory because of the reputation I've gained.
"He's got to stand up and be counted."
What else has O'Leary said on Arsenal?
O'Learly has also discussed another Arsenal star that hasn't managed to find top form so far this season for the Gunners.
Viktor Gyokeres has only played 56 minutes in three Premier League appearances after losing his starting spot to Kai Havertz.
And the £63.7million signing appears to now be a back-up striker, with Arteta seeming preferring Havertz's link-up play.
4Gyokeres hasn't started a game for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, with Havertz taking his starting spotCredit: Getty
"You've got to look at the start of the season and the way Arteta has gone," O'Learly said.
"It doesn't look like at the moment, when Arsenal have a fully fit squad, that it won't have Gyokeres in it.
"It's going to be Havertz because he thinks he gives him better options when linking the play up."