Former Liverpool forward Dean Saunders is concerned that clubs have figured out how to stop Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka once against struggled to produce his best against Fulham last time out.
Whilst the 22-year-old was on hand to put the north London club ahead with a tap-in from close range early on, aside from that he was not able to regularly threaten or make a tangible impact on the rest of the match.
This is not the first time that Saka has found his attacking play nullified in recent weeks. Prior to his goal in the 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, he had not found the back of the net in his last five Premier League appearances.
Saka has certainly been afforded extra attention by opposition defenders on a regular basis this season. The England star has spoken out publicly about the challenge this has presented to him. Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara recently stated that Saka needs to become less predictable when on the ball.
As a left-footed right-winger, it is Saka’s inclination to cut inside with the ball onto his stronger foot, into a position from which he can either deliver an in-swinging cross into the box or fire an effort at goal. This has proved a successful ploy on many previous occasions. However, there is certainly a sense that defenders are now getting wise to it.
Why is Bukayo Saka struggling to shine for Arsenal?
Dean Saunders believes that defenders are adapting to Saka’s game, making it harder for the Arsenal man to execute his signature moves. Speaking on talkSPORT (02/01/2024, 06:53), the ex-striker said, “obviously now teams have worked it out. They say to the left-back, send Saka down the line, don’t let him come inside you on his left foot and if he does, defensive midfield player get along side me so two of us can get him down the line. People are aware of what their strengths are coming infield.”
“But if you watch how Arsenal play, they play like Manchester City. They get the ball wide, they get around the box and they played little intricate one-twos. Odegaard, Saka and maybe Ben White’s just supporting him at the minute he’s not overlapping him.”
Saka could certainly do with more support. Ben White has had his fitness issues this season, and has struggled to provide his usual standard of attacking support in recent matches. Without the right-back providing an overlapping run, Saka all too often finds himself isolated and crowded out by defenders.
Arsenal desperately need Saka at his best. The north London club’s Premier League title chances took a hefty blow with their defeat against Fulham, and if the Gunners are to stand any chance of being crowned champions at the end of the campaign then Mikel Arteta needs Saka to be able to shine regularly once again.
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