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What has happened to Bukayo Saka’s form and how big a problem is it for Arsenal?

Arsenal took another big step towards the Premier League title by grinding out a 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday. The Gunners were a long way from their best, but still had enough to secure three points, giving them a nine-point lead at the top of the table following Manchester City’s draw against West Ham.

 

One of Arsenal’s most exciting attacking players stepped up as Max Dowman scored one and assisted another. Not so long ago, Bukayo Saka might have been the one to deliver such a season-defining moment or two. He was the Gunners’ star boy and developed a habit of producing when it mattered most.

 

Saka, however, hasn’t been his usual self of late. The winger scored a winner away to Brighton at the start of the month and also found the back of the net against Wolves a month ago, but it’s clear Saka is playing well within himself at the moment. The star boy isn’t sparkling so much these days.

 

While Saka has already matched his goals tally from last season, registering six goals in 27 appearances, he is a long way off the assists tally of 10 that he achieved last term. This says something about how the 24-year-old has lost the creative edge that previously made him such a special talent.

 

Of course, Arsenal have the depth to absorb this with Noni Madueke an able deputy for Saka on the right side. Madueke has made such a profound impact for the Gunners this season that Arteta has attempted to fit him into the same lineup as Saka, one on the left wing and the other on the right.

 

Nonetheless, Arsenal would be better for having Saka firing on all cylinders again, especially with so many big games coming thick and fast. After beating Everton on Saturday, Arsenal now have a Champions League last 16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen followed by the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

 

“What he’s doing for this club is just incredible at his age,” said Arteta when asked about Saka’s form. “He’s continued to have a massive impact for us. He can have an individual performance that is not a reflection of his level, like every human and player in the world, but when you look at his strength and the impact he has on the team, it’s just incredible.”

 

A lot of Saka’s underlying numbers are still strong. Only Viktor Gyokeres has registered a higher Expected Goals (xG) than the winger in the Premier League this season. On top of this, only Declan Rice has created more Big Chances and chances as a whole than Saka. His fundamentals remain impressive.

 

For one reason or another, though, Saka isn’t operating with the same conviction in the final third. He is doubting himself when he gets into good areas, preventing him from converting his impressive underlying numbers into actual output that can affect matches for Arsenal as they chase an historic Quadruple.

 

There’s still time for Saka to rediscover his best form before the end of the season. Thomas Tuchel is surely keeping a close eye on the 24-year-old who is expected to be a key figure for England at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions need Saka to be at his best to go one step further after making the last two Euro finals.

 

Saka is still only 24 and so there’s no reason for Arsenal to panic over the winger’s recent form. He has already demonstrated his elite-level quality over a number of seasons. He’s an Arsenal icon. Nonetheless, the Gunners could do with Saka driving them towards Premier League glory and a possible Quadruple.