Arsenal’s defeat by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final marked their 50th game of a grueling season, dashing hopes of a quadruple.
The Gunners remain in excellent shape overall, positioned strongly to claim a trophy by season’s end. They hold a commanding spot in the Premier League, sit in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, and have reached the same stage in the Champions League. The loss to City was just their fourth across all competitions this season.
Saka captained Arsenal in the defeat to City, and his performance—along with recent form—has drawn scrutiny from supporters and pundits as the team missed a first trophy since 2020.
With a World Cup on the horizon, England manager Thomas Tuchel is protecting key players. Saka, nearly guaranteed a starting spot, received the first week of the international window off to rest.
Bukayo Saka: Arsenal Star’s Season Analysis
What Has Happened to Saka’s Form?
“That pressure to win trophies can tally up and make it difficult,” said former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney about Saka’s form. “I think he has struggled this season. He has played a lot of games in his career already. I think we all know there is more there.”
Saka’s form faces questions due to the high standards expected from the Arsenal winger. The 24-year-old signed a new five-year deal with his boyhood club in February, securing his future during prime career years.
Saka’s importance to Arsenal is immeasurable—his story, fan connection, academy roots, and on-pitch value are irreplaceable. Amid Arsenal’s American ownership and football’s globalization, he serves as their franchise player. Yet, with such reliance, dips in form prompt inevitable questions.
The England international has scored two goals since the turn of the year across 17 games, missing three with a hip injury. Before his goal in the 2-2 draw against Wolves last month—playing as a number 10—he went 15 games without scoring in all competitions. He has six league goals in 27 appearances this season.
Saka’s appearance against City in the final was his 305th for Arsenal across all competitions. Manager Mikel Arteta values this reliability. In 2022, when asked about resting Saka, Arteta highlighted elite players’ workloads: “Look at the top players in the world. They play 70 matches—every three days—and make the difference and win the game. You want to be at the top, you have to be able to do that.”
Missing Connections Impacting Saka
Several factors explain Saka’s current form dip. He has nine goals and assists combined in the league this season—not a standout campaign—but underlying expected goals (xG) numbers indicate unluckiness, with data suggesting one more goal and three more assists.
The graph below shows he should have had one more goal and three more assists this season.
Opposition defenses often deploy two or three players to neutralize his right-wing threat, limiting personal output despite creating chances for teammates.
Arsenal’s right side has battled injuries this season. Captain Martin Odegaard endured a fractured campaign with two knee and two shoulder issues, limiting him to 13 league starts. Ben White also struggled with injuries, while Arteta favors Jurrien Timber when fit.
Previously, Arsenal’s right attack flowed seamlessly, with Saka linking effectively with White and Odegaard. This season, alongside Kai Havertz’s injuries, Saka has struggled to connect with summer signing Viktor Gyokeres up front.
Are Injuries a Concern for Saka?
Saka’s hamstring issue last season marked his first major injury, occurring on his 250th Arsenal appearance—the youngest Englishman to reach that milestone for the Gunners. It sidelined him for 101 days, but he scored on return against Fulham and away at Real Madrid as Arsenal hit the Champions League last four before exiting to Paris St-Germain.
This season, a hamstring injury kept him out four weeks early on, followed by a hip issue in January’s Leeds warm-up, missing three games.
Despite lower numbers, this could be a pivotal season for Saka in Arsenal’s trophy push. The 2023-24 season was an outlier at 0.49 goals per 90 minutes, boosted by six penalties—he’s taken just one this term.
Over six seasons, Saka ranks among Arsenal’s top minute-earners. This campaign, he’s logged 2,869 minutes across competitions, exceeding last season’s 2,619.
The graph below highlights the 2023-24 outlier for Saka.
With a World Cup ahead, Tuchel prioritizes star management: “Some of these guys have already played more minutes than the whole of last season and there is still a lot of football to play.”
Saka could feature in up to 15 more Arsenal games if they reach FA Cup and Champions League finals, totaling 57. Even without peak numbers, leading Arsenal to end their trophy drought and starring for England could define his career.
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