Micah Richards believes that Mikel Arteta is making the same mistake with Bukayo Saka at Arsenal as Pep Guardiola made with Jack Grealish at Man City.
The former City defender has warned the Gunners that they are too often playing it safe, which is limiting many of their best attackers.
TRUE or FALSE: Mikel Arteta is making the same mistake with Bukayo Saka at Arsenal as Pep Guardiola made with Jack Grealish?
IS ARTETA MAKING SAKA WORSE? LET US KNOW!!!
Arsenal looked toothless in attack against Man City, and Richards does not believe that Arteta’s tactics are helping him in the slightest.
One player who is really struggling to perform under Arteta is Saka, and Richards has been discussing why that may be the case.
Micah Richards on why Bukayo Saka is struggling at Arsenal
Micah Richards believes that Mikel Arteta has programmed Bukayo Saka not to take any risks in his play at Arsenal.
Too often, Saka plays the easy option, rather than taking the game to the opposition, which is a clear instruction from the manager.
Just like Jack Grealish at Man City, these type of players are too good to be limited to playing in a system and need to be given freedom to flourish.
Speaking about Arsenal’s issues, Richards told The Rest Is Football: “I’d say eight weeks ago, Arsenal were just sitting in. There have been occasions where Saka has been let free, but then he comes back inside, and then he doesn’t want to.
“Thierry actually did a really good piece on Monday Night Football where he’s in certain positions, but he’s sort of I don’t say programmed, like how Pep talked about Grealish when he goes in wide areas, it’s almost like don’t lose the ball.
Is it time to bench Bukayo Saka?
“I think that’s what Arsenal have them at the moment, it’s just don’t take the extra pass, just wait and don’t force it, that’s what they’re doing.
“I think now players are going to have to take it upon themselves to say ‘No, actually, if there is a one-on-one situation, I will take it’.
“They’re not getting as many opportunities to do that. But when they do get the opportunity, they have to take it.
“They can’t rely on young Dowman to get him out of trouble. Jamie Redknapp was calling for him at half-time, but I was like, that’s all well and good, but he’s a 16-year-old kid.”
Saka has just looked well off the pace far too often this season, and his lack of goals and assists is just proof that he is being held back.
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