{"id":59,"date":"2026-03-26T16:14:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/2026\/03\/26\/arsenal-facing-quiet-bukayo-saka-concern-as-new-issue-rises\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:14:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:14:21","slug":"arsenal-facing-quiet-bukayo-saka-concern-as-new-issue-rises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=59","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal facing quiet Bukayo Saka concern as new issue rises"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-main\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--post-header--><\/p>\n<div id=\"post-feat-img\" class=\"left relative\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image ewww_webp_lazy_load\" alt=\"Arsenal FC\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5.jpg\" src-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5.jpg.webp\" srcset-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5-600x338.jpg.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\"\/><img width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5.jpg\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"Arsenal FC\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-5.jpg\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1200\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"675\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--post-feat-text-->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--post-feat-img--><\/p>\n<section class=\"social-sharing-top\">\n<p><span class=\"fb-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-facebook-f\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Arsenal facing quiet Bukayo Saka concern as new issue rises -&amp;url=https:\/\/sixsports.in\/arsenal-facing-quiet-bukayo-saka-concern-as-new-issue-rises\/', 'twitterShare', 'width=626,height=436'); return false;\" title=\"Share This Post\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"twitter-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-x-twitter\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"whatsapp-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-whatsapp fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pinterest-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-pinterest-p\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"email-but\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Email<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--social-sharing-top--><\/p>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-card\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-top\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-logo\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"345\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ARSENAL\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/arsenal_logo.avif\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"345\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/arsenal_logo.avif\" alt=\"ARSENAL\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-description\">\n<p>            Arsenal is one of England\u2019s most prestigious football clubs, competing in the Premier League and European competitions like the UEFA Champions League. Known for its attacking style, rich history, and passionate fanbase, Arsenal has won numerous league titles and domestic\u2026            <a class=\"sx-entity-readmore\" href=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/team\/arsenal\/\"><br \/>\n                Read More about ARSENAL\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Arsenal season still carries promise, but small questions are beginning to creep in. Their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City felt like more than just a missed trophy. It shifted attention toward individuals, and naturally, Bukayo Saka found himself under the spotlight.<\/p>\n<p>Such have been the highs of the winger in recent years that even a mild dip feels exaggerated. Arsenal are strong across competitions, and they\u2019re competing at the highest end of <strong>football <\/strong>with Saka as a crucial part of their group, but the talk around him has suggested something deeper. Is this simply a dip, or the first visible indication of over-dependence on their star man?<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-dip-in-numbers-or-a-shift-in-expectations\">A dip in numbers or a shift in expectations?<\/h2>\n<p>Saka\u2019s output this season hasn\u2019t approached his previous campaigns. With a limited number of league goals and fewer assists, the numbers indicate a decline. Yet numbers alone hardly tell the whole story. The expectations around him have evolved. He is no longer just a promising academy graduate but the face of Arsenal\u2019s attack. Naturally, scrutiny has followed. <\/p>\n<p>Even Wayne Rooney recently pointed out that the winger may be feeling the weight of consistent high-level performances. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/cg73rve0y33o\">As per the reports<\/a>concerns about his form are being driven more by expectation than actual decline. His underlying metrics, including expected goals and assists, suggest he has been somewhat unlucky rather than ineffective.<\/p>\n<p>There is also the mental aspect. Playing at the top level week after week brings pressure that accumulates quietly. Bukayo Saka has already crossed 300 appearances for the club at a relatively young age, which reflects both his importance and the physical demand placed on him.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-missing-chemistry-on-arsenal-s-right-side\">The missing chemistry on Arsenal\u2019s right side<\/h2>\n<p>One of the biggest reasons behind Saka\u2019s quieter season lies beyond his individual performance. <strong>Arsenal\u2019s<\/strong> right flank, once their most fluid attacking channel, has lacked consistency. Martin Odegaard has struggled with injuries, while Ben White has also faced interruptions. That familiar triangle, which allowed Bukayo Saka to thrive in space, has rarely been intact this season.<\/p>\n<p>Without that cohesion, Saka often finds himself isolated against multiple defenders. Opponents have adjusted, routinely doubling him up and restricting his ability to cut inside or create opportunities. There is the developing attack dynamic, too. The infusion of new talent has not all settled in with ease, and the alliances that once felt intuitive now seem somewhat out of sync.<\/p>\n<p>It has caused Saka to modify his game, usually favoring the retention of the ball to high attack direct output. With such high stakes as the<strong> Premier League<\/strong> there are even small changes in chemistry which can affect a player\u2019s numbers.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" alt=\"Arsenal FC\" class=\"wp-image-173848 ewww_webp_lazy_load\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11.jpg\" src-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11.jpg.webp\" srcset-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11-600x338.jpg.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11.jpg\" alt=\"Arsenal FC\" class=\"wp-image-173848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Arsenal-FC-11-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-bukayo-saka-handle-the-physical-and-mental-load\">Can Bukayo Saka handle the physical and mental load?<\/h2>\n<p>Another factor that cannot be ignored is workload. Saka has been one of Arsenal\u2019s most reliable players, consistently featuring across all competitions. This season alone, he has logged significant minutes, continuing a trend that has defined his career so far.<\/p>\n<p>His recent injury concerns, including minor muscle issues, may not seem serious individually but can affect rhythm and sharpness. With Thomas Tuchel already managing his workload ahead of international commitments, there is clear recognition of the physical toll.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, despite the concerns, Saka\u2019s influence remains undeniable. Arsenal\u2019s win percentage, goal output and overall attacking threat all improve when he is on the pitch. That alone speaks to how central he is to the team\u2019s identity. It may not be his statistically most explosive season, but could still become one of his most meaningful.<\/p>\n<p>If Arsenal turn their strong position into silverware, Saka\u2019s contributions, even in a somewhat dialed-down campaign, will matter tremendously. For now, it feels less like a decline and more like a moment of adjustment. The real test will be how he responds in the decisive weeks ahead.<\/p>\n<div class=\"preferred-source-box\" style=\"margin-top:40px;padding:25px;background: #1865b4;border:1px solid #ddd;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:10px;color:#fff;\">ENJOYED THIS STORY?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;margin-bottom:20px;color:#fff;\">\n<p>                    Add Six Sports as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting\n                <\/p>\n<p>                    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" style=\"max-width:260px;height:auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/img\/google-trusted-source\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/img\/google-trusted-source\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.webp\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" style=\"max-width:260px;height:auto;\"\/><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"fe-author-box\" itemprop=\"author\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\">\n<div class=\"fe-author-avatar\">\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/138c1da500ea6195cad6811e69c8d1840fbf0fbbfbeb757b9a66fba179d7ac31?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/138c1da500ea6195cad6811e69c8d1840fbf0fbbfbeb757b9a66fba179d7ac31?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/138c1da500ea6195cad6811e69c8d1840fbf0fbbfbeb757b9a66fba179d7ac31?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/138c1da500ea6195cad6811e69c8d1840fbf0fbbfbeb757b9a66fba179d7ac31?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\"\/>    <\/div>\n<div class=\"fe-author-content\">\n<h2 class=\"fe-author-name\" itemprop=\"name\">\n<p>                Deepanjali Bhardwaj<br \/>\n        <\/h2>\n<p class=\"fe-author-bio\" itemprop=\"description\">\n<p>                Deepanjali Bhardwaj is a Sports Writer at Six Sports, covering both football and cricket with a focus on match developments, player performances, and key talking points across the two sports. Her work combines timely reporting with clear analysis, helping readers stay informed about major matches, tournaments, and emerging storylines in the football and cricket landscape.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nThrough her coverage at Six Sports, Deepanjali contributes match reports, analytical pieces, and feature stories that highlight important moments, team strategies, and standout player performances across domestic and international competitions.            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-org-wrap\" itemprop=\"publisher\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Organization\">\n<div class=\"mvp-org-logo\" itemprop=\"logo\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\" src-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png.webp\" class=\"ewww_webp_lazy_load\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-logo--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Six Sports\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-wrap--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--posts-nav-link--><\/p>\n<div class=\"mentioned-article-block\">\n<h3 class=\"mentioned-title\">Mentioned in this Article<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-button--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-->\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Share Share Share Share Email Arsenal is one of England\u2019s most prestigious football clubs, competing in the Premier League and European competitions like the UEFA Champions League. Known for its attacking style, rich history, and passionate fanbase, Arsenal has won numerous league titles and domestic\u2026 Read More about ARSENAL Arsenal season still carries promise, but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":60,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=59"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/60"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=59"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=59"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=59"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}