Gary Lineker believes that Bukayo Saka is one of the key reasons why Arsenal are still winning matches at the moment, but there is still one area which is holding him back.
The former England international believes that Saka is creating so many chances from out wide, but that is now to the detriment of having chances himself.
I actually think Arsenal need to sign a goalscorer in January, do you agree?
No Arsenal player has created more chances than Saka this season, with the 24-year-old currently averaging 2.4 per game.
But right now, Arsenal’s lack of cutting edge is hurting them, as against Brighton, despite having 24 shots and an xG of 3.08, Martin Odegaard was their only goal scorer.
That led to a nervy finish for Mikel Arteta’s team at the Emirates Stadium, and Lineker has been discussing why Arsenal are struggling to kill off matches.
Gary Lineker is worried by Bukayo Saka’s lack of goal-scoring chances
Gary Lineker is concerned for Arsenal’s sake that Bukayo Saka is not getting on the end of chances right now.
Currently, the winger’s job appears to be generating as many chances as possible from wide positions, which he is doing very effectively.
However, one month has now passed since Saka’s last Premier League goal, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that he’s not finding himself in the right position to score.
Speaking about the Gunners’ struggles, Lineker told The Rest Is Football: “I think the fact that they’re just getting over the line is because they do get lots of balls into the box.
“I mean, Saka does deliver a lot, but he’s not really getting on the end of things at the moment.”
If you were Mikel Arteta would you feel the need to push Bukayo Saka to score more goals for Arsenal?
After 23 appearances in all competitions, Saka has just seven goals, so Arteta will need to find a way of getting him more involved in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres’ struggles are only heightening the need for other players to start chipping in with goals, as the Swede has now scored just two goals in his last nine matches.
Mikel Arteta must start Gabriel Jesus up front versus Aston Villa
Arteta now faces a key dilemma as to who he will start up front against Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.
Following Gyokeres’ latest display, it is now clear that the Spanish manager must look to hand Gabriel Jesus his first start since returning from injury.
Arsenal fans are worried about their lack of finished chances at the moment, so he needs to try something different, and that could be by starting his Brazilian striker.
Mikel Merino is another option; meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli starting in a false nine could also be a real curveball.
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