Ian Wright believes that Bukayo Saka looks so far from his best, and his words should be ringing alarm bells at Arsenal.
Saka has been struggling with an Achilles injury and was unable to start for England during the World Cup group stages, and the Arsenal star has been unable to perform when he has been on the pitch.
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Last season, the 24-year-old helped deliver the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years, but on a personal level, it was quite an underwhelming campaign.
The Arsenal winger has really had big injury issues over the last few years, and this summer, an Achilles issue has plagued his World Cup.
Ian Wright and Gary Neville think Bukayo Saka looks well off the pace
Ian Wright and Gary Neville are both very worried by how Bukayo Saka has looked physically over the last few months.
Neville fears that Saka’s injury struggles could be detrimental to England’s World Cup hopes; meanwhile, Wright has noticed that his confidence to beat players seems to have gone.
Speaking on The Overlap, Neville said: “He’s had this injury, this severe hamstring injury. He doesn’t look right at all. For him, he’s usually the boy who’s bubbling. He’s smiling. He’s got the sort of competitive edge to him. He just doesn’t (look right). He’s not right, is he? And that’s a real concern for us, I think.”
Roy Keane has also raised concerns over Saka’s fitness, saying: “He doesn’t look sharp. When your whole game is about sharpness, beating people, and decision making.
“So physically, again, we mention, is he trusting his body, and if he’s off a little bit with all the top players, and it’s huge, there is no hiding place.”
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Wright also fears that Arsenal may have rushed him back a bit too quickly from his previous hamstring injury, given their reliance on him in their bid to win the Premier League.
Wright added: “As a forward, you need that sharp move, and you’re not confident enough to do it, and then when we watch Saka at the moment, he’s going, but then stops. He’s coming back, and he’s playing inside.
“I think the Arsenal fans know this has been going on for longer than six months already. I think we can probably go back further.
“I think it goes back to maybe the hamstring injury and coming back from that, and it was always going to be a worry about Arsenal and what we’re trying to achieve and rushing him back.”
Arsenal should be so worried about Bukayo Saka’s condition
England’s struggles in attack should be a warning for Arsenal, as it is clear the Three Lions are struggling without Saka available for selection.
England have been unable to break down Ghana and Panama from open play without him, and Arsenal could have a similar issue.
Noni Madueke has been decent enough for club and country, but the Gunners cannot rely on him for the majority of the season.
Mikel Arteta might need to carefully manage Saka next season following a campaign in which he has been so heavily reliant on the winger.
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