Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s best player against Manchester City at the weekend, and should be deserving of a regular role in the team.
The youngster was a standout performer last season, despite starting the campaign at the tender age of 17, and capped that off with a nomination for the club’s Player of the Year award, in which he came third.
His most impressive trait however has come from his ability to adapt into different roles given to him by the manager, starting the season in his favoured winger role, before thoroughly impressing at left-back, wing-back and on the left of a three-man midfield.
This season has been much of the same from Saka, proving to be one of our best players once again despite his inexperience, whilst only playing once in his favoured role on the wings, playing in midfield or at wing-back mostly.
Despite being one of our better performers, he has only been selected to start in three of our five Premier League matches, but with our players enjoying mixed form, his importance is coming to the fore.
While Saka is continuing to put his teammates to shame, the manager simply has to sit up and take stock, and accept that Saka should be the first name on the team-sheet.
It’s all well and good knowing that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the superstar in the team, but those watching must be seeing that Saka is the one who is not only putting in the most effort, but putting in the star performances also.
I understand that there is a want for calm around the wonderkid, with fears about possibly overusing the young star, but the reality is that the club must come first, and who is to say that he will agree to stay at Arsenal throughout his career?
Saka should be playing every game, regardless of his role. Does anyone disagree?
Patrick
Sometimes I think Saka is the only player that’s creating the real chances for us.
So yes he needs to be starting in PL matches and skipping Europa league to rest
There is not one player in our squad who should be playing in every game Patrick, and you should know that by now.Like you I recognise the talent we have in young Saka and in due course I see him as a regular on the left side of a midfield three or as a natural left winger.
This is a difficult message to write to the @Arsenal fans that I’ve played for over the past few years. I’m really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the @premierleague season for the time being.
“Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated. As I have just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays. I’ve always tried to remain positive from week to week that there’s maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again. That’s why I kept silent so far. Before the Coronavirus break I was really happy with the development under our new coach Mikel Arteta – we’ve been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level.
“But then things changed, again, and I was not longer allowed to play football for Arsenal. What else can I say? London still feels like home, I still have many good friends in this team, and I still feel a strong connection with the fans of this club. No matter what, I will keep fighting for my chance and not let my 8th season at Arsenal end like this. 🙏🏼🙏🏼 I can promise you that this hard decision won’t change anything in my mindset – I will continue to train as best as I can and wherever possible use my voice against inhumanity and for justice.”
Mesut Ozil.
I think things got too political with Ozil. I still don’t understand what happened since last time he was played by MA
Auba14 He should have come out and tell us what really happened himself.
Patrick, NO player, save a keeper and then only perhaps, should start in ALL PREM games , so that includes the talented but still young SAKA. All players, esp outfield ones, need a rest from time to time.
I guess all of us on here much like young Saka and hope he plays very often but he is still a kid and needs rest at times, as do older players too. Burnout for young players is a problem that experienced football folk like MA recognise and so guard against, all too well! And it is good that they do too.
Yes, Salad needs a prominent role in his natural posion upfront because he is as daring and versatile as Mane and Sterling. We have.enough at the defence to continue wasting him there. He can push Upfront keeping a Deffence in panic all the Time.
SAKA please and not Salad
It was a typographical error
Does anyone else see Saka as a future CAM?
His technical ability is outstanding, he is excellent in tight spaces, can shoot with both feet and has an eye for a pass. Honestly, I think this could be a reason Ozil was left out. We have 2 up and coming midfielders in Smith-Rowe and Saka who are looking like stars for the future.
Hope to see these two make a 1st team spot theirs in the coming seasons.
Stop hyping that Smith Rowe. He is too injury prone like Wilshere.