Bukayo Saka’s claim to Arsenal’s starting XI isn’t as strong right now as it previously was, giving Mikel Arteta some food for thought.
Saka is now Arsenal’s highest earner, and for good reason, he’s the poster boy of the club, being the perfect example to fans, academy hopefuls and his teammates.
There is a problem, though, and that is that the 24-year-old hasn’t looked anywhere near his usual self throughout the season, not helped by a hamstring and hip issue.
After Saka’s terrible performance against Bayer Leverkusen, it has to be wondered what the immediate future holds for the winger in the starting XI, as right now, he’s not contributing enough.
- READ MORE: Martin Keown knows exactly what Bukayo Saka will be doing after Arsenal’s draw vs Bayer Leverkusen
What went wrong for Bukayo Saka against Bayer Leverkusen?
Mikel Arteta might need to drop Bukayo Saka at Arsenal
With just nine goals in 39 appearances in all competitions, Saka is massively underperforming.
Against Bayer Leverkusen, he was at his worst, with a spark clearly missing from the England international.
It emphasised that Arteta has a difficult situation to resolve, but the Arsenal manager’s job was made a lot easier when Noni Madueke replaced Saka and offered exactly what his predecessor didn’t.
Even the areas that we usually see Saka thrive in were compromised, as he lost six duels and managed to complete only 33% of his dribbles.
Arteta had seen enough, instructing Madueke to change the game, which he did in Saka’s absence, but where do the Gunners go from here?
Every remaining game in Arsenal’s season is like a cup final; wins are needed everywhere, and at present, Saka isn’t contributing to such.
POV: You’re Mikel Arteta, are you dropping Bukayo Saka for Noni Madueke?
Madueke, on the other hand, is giving Arteta a call to make that was unthinkable when the season started: to drop Saka for the summer signing.
There’s no lesson for players like being dropped out of the starting XI, and while the boss does it with others, it just doesn’t happen to Saka, but now it should.
A taste of having the roles reversed could trigger the 24-year-old into action at a crucial time, as with a quadruple to fight for, Arsenal need their best players at their very best.
Something isn’t right with Saka right now, while Madueke is thriving on the opportunities he is being given, which could prompt Arteta to stun everyone and make the change.
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