Bukayo Saka: 2019/20 Performances

[Dutch D]

Any news? Really hope this guy is staying. Bright spot in dark days.

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

Any news?

Felt like this should be priority with the situation to get this deal done, get fans to have a little excitement during this lockdown...

This is tricky for us because we want to keep the player but also fix our wage structure but you have Saka looking to likes of Hudson Odoi and I heard that his agent is a real shark that gets extra for his players. So its tricky for sure!

Really need to tie Saka down and make him a bit face of the next generation of Arsenal. I believe he is that good!

 

[Macho]

I'd like him to sign, but if worst case he leaves and does well elsewhere it really wouldn't be the end of the world. We've seen it before.

 

[Impact]

Interesting response to Nketiah calling him a left-back.

 

[Get These Hands]

It really is concerning when an 18 year old is apparently being difficult after only a few games in first team. Makes you question their attitude.

Admittedly I don't know the full story, but I'd be surprised if it was the club dragging their heels.

 

[Oxeki]

He's going to sign. He's not going to Liverpool. If he goes to pool, he stays on the bench for probably the same wage he'll get at arsenal and start games. Chelsea is a sideways step at best.

Dortmund look the most threatening, but I doubt he'll just up and leave. Him and his family is settled in London.

It's a no brainier, IMO

 

[14Henry]

He's going to sign. He's not going to Liverpool. If he goes to pool, he stays on the bench for probably the same wage he'll get at arsenal and start games. Chelsea is a sideways step at best.

Dortmund look the most threatening, but I doubt he'll just up and leave. Him and his family is settled in London.

It's a no brainier, IMO

He could to to Liverpool and easily play 25-30 games for them. He could operate at LB for Robertson and on the left of a front 3 for Mane when they need a rest or injured. Which could see him develop and progress and potentially be a Mane replacement if he cracks the left forward role he seems to prefer in 2-3 years.

Hes obviously a player who believes in himself and is confident enough to not be afraid to take on a challenge. Is there a big enough challenge at Arsenal?

Hes seen Chamberlain move to Liverpool. Play plenty of games when not injured. Win a CL and a league in his first 2 years. He may see Liverpool dominating the PL for the next 3 or 4 years and think. It's never too early to be apart of that. Plus looks at liverpools recent track record of players. Almost all their players have improved.

Have Arsenals players improved and developed? Nope. Are they going to win anything significant in the next 3 or 4 years. Nope. Are they going to go to places like Nou Camp or Bernabeu on a Tuesday night? Nope.

So anyone who thinks Liverpool wouldnt be a good move theres some food for thought.

A player doesnt have to play 38 league games plus 10 cup games to develop and improve. Training every day with good coaches, learning from good players and playing half the games is more than enough at 18/19.

 

[Manberg]

He could to to Liverpool and easily play 25-30 games for them. He could operate at LB for Robertson and on the left of a front 3 for Mane when they need a rest or injured. Which could see him develop and progress and potentially be a Mane replacement if he cracks the left forward role he seems to prefer in 2-3 years.

Hes obviously a player who believes in himself and is confident enough to not be afraid to take on a challenge. Is there a big enough challenge at Arsenal?

Hes seen Chamberlain move to Liverpool. Play plenty of games when not injured. Win a CL and a league in his first 2 years. He may see Liverpool dominating the PL for the next 3 or 4 years and think. It's never too early to be apart of that. Plus looks at liverpools recent track record of players. Almost all their players have improved.

Have Arsenals players improved and developed? Nope. Are they going to win anything significant in the next 3 or 4 years. Nope. Are they going to go to places like Nou Camp or Bernabeu on a Tuesday night? Nope.

So anyone who thinks Liverpool wouldnt be a good move theres some food for thought.

A player doesnt have to play 38 league games plus 10 cup games to develop and improve. Training every day with good coaches, learning from good players and playing half the games is more than enough at 18/19.

Chamberlain’s potential had gone to poop since he moved to Liverpool. I’ve even seen Pool fans turn on him during games and they consider him a weak link. Saka should stay at Arsenal and fulfil his potential.

 

[Oxeki]

He could to to Liverpool and easily play 25-30 games for them. He could operate at LB for Robertson and on the left of a front 3 for Mane when they need a rest or injured. Which could see him develop and progress and potentially be a Mane replacement if he cracks the left forward role he seems to prefer in 2-3 years.

Hes obviously a player who believes in himself and is confident enough to not be afraid to take on a challenge. Is there a big enough challenge at Arsenal?

Hes seen Chamberlain move to Liverpool. Play plenty of games when not injured. Win a CL and a league in his first 2 years. He may see Liverpool dominating the PL for the next 3 or 4 years and think. It's never too early to be apart of that. Plus looks at liverpools recent track record of players. Almost all their players have improved.

Have Arsenals players improved and developed? Nope. Are they going to win anything significant in the next 3 or 4 years. Nope. Are they going to go to places like Nou Camp or Bernabeu on a Tuesday night? Nope.

So anyone who thinks Liverpool wouldnt be a good move theres some food for thought.

A player doesnt have to play 38 league games plus 10 cup games to develop and improve. Training every day with good coaches, learning from good players and playing half the games is more than enough at 18/19.

At best Chamberlain is squaddie there.

Since he went there, I can count the number of good games he's had for them on one hand.

Chambo hasn't fulfilled any of his potential since moving to Liverpool. He's only started 13 games for them this season. Chamberlain is a very horrible example.

I've seen him have better games for us than he's had for Liverpool.

Saka should stay rather than go to Liverpool for the same wage. He's a huge potential, but not every huge potential is ready for a big move at 18.

Purely from developmental perspective, he could do well by staying by arsenal

 

[oh to be a goon]

Interesting response to Nketiah calling him a left-back.

This confirms something I have been thinking for a while now.

Saka's official nickname is now "Baka"

 

[14Henry]

So Chamberlain is a bad example because he isnt starting every week?

That's small mind Arsenal mentality for you right there.

People are saying that a player is better playing 38 games a season and sitting 9th and winning nothing than playing maybe 20-30 times in all competitions and winning things.

Chamberlain has tested himself in the best team in Europe despite having an injury that kept him out all season.

He did nothing for us at Arsenal.

Saka appears to have more potential and ability than Chamberlain did at 18. Why is it unreasonable that Saka cant play a significant squad role while developing and winning things?

Some people are forgetting that Saka only got a real shot because of injuries.

Is Saka guaranteed to start for us week in week out by staying? No. He is guaranteed no less playing time at Liverpool. Have Liverpool a better track record of developing players the last 3-4 years? Yes. Have they won things? Yes.

 

[Macho]

It really is concerning when an 18 year old is apparently being difficult after only a few games in first team. Makes you question their attitude.

Admittedly I don't know the full story, but I'd be surprised if it was the club dragging their heels.

On the contrary, he’s a smart lad and knows the position he’s in.

Think he got mostly As/A stars in his GCSEs he’s no dummy lol. He/his team are trying to get the best out of his situation and I don’t see why his attitude should be questioned. This is his career here, and its an important contract. F*ck whatever some entitled fans think.

Will he be developed in his ideal position?
Will Arsenal be the best place to reach the next level?

Like you rightly said, we don’t really know what’s going on behind the scenes Arsenal could be low balling him. For what it’s worth, the little tid bits I see from the media regarding this situation seem largely positive tbh. He is an Arsenal boy after all.

 

[Oxeki]

So Chamberlain is a bad example because he isnt starting every week?

That's small mind Arsenal mentality for you right there.

People are saying that a player is better playing 38 games a season and sitting 9th and winning nothing than playing maybe 20-30 times in all competitions and winning things.

Chamberlain has tested himself in the best team in Europe despite having an injury that kept him out all season.

He did nothing for us at Arsenal.

Saka appears to have more potential and ability than Chamberlain did at 18. Why is it unreasonable that Saka cant play a significant squad role while developing and winning things?

Some people are forgetting that Saka only got a real shot because of injuries.

Is Saka guaranteed to start for us week in week out by staying? No. He is guaranteed no less playing time at Liverpool. Have Liverpool a better track record of developing players the last 3-4 years? Yes. Have they won things? Yes.

Chamberlain is not starting every week even when he's fit.

Chamberlain hasn't influenced any game for Liverpool this season. He's been basically a squaddie.

we'rent you the one claiming he's developed and not stagnated. Yet if he's developed like you said, shouldn't he be starting more games. Even when he was fit for Liverpool, hasn't really better than he was for us, barring the city games vs city in 2017/2018.

Chamberlain hasn't developed since he went to Liverpool, we attribute to any factor you want, but the truth is he hasn't really elevated Liverpool.

He's not been a big miss for them when injured.

It's not Small minded to think that if he has developed then he should've played a more prominent role for them than he has.

Players like Robertson and TAA didn't go into the team to fight for their place, they already were better than the players they were trying to replace. All they needed was good coaching.

Remember Klopp is averse to rotating he almost never does it unless he's forced to by circumstances. He pretty much likes to play the same starting XI.

The only games I'm sure he's going to get are the cup games. Liverpool notoriously don't go far in cup competitions so they he won't get much game there

So According to you, winning trophies means he's developing. Then all young talent should go to big teams since clearly winning trophies develops players.

 

[14Henry]

Chamberlain is not starting every week even when he's fit.

Chamberlain hasn't influenced any game for Liverpool this season. He's been basically a squaddie.

we'rent you the one claiming he's developed and not stagnated. Yet if he's developed like you said, shouldn't he be starting more games. Even when he was fit for Liverpool, hasn't really better than he was for us, barring the city games vs city in 2017/2018.

Chamberlain hasn't developed since he went to Liverpool, we attribute to any factor you want, but the truth is he hasn't really elevated Liverpool.

He's not been a big miss for them when injured.

It's not Small minded to think that if he has developed then he should've played a more prominent role for them than he has.

Players like Robertson and TAA didn't go into the team to fight for their place, they already were better than the players they were trying to replace. All they needed was good coaching.

Remember Klopp is averse to rotating he almost never does it unless he's forced to by circumstances. He pretty much likes to play the same starting XI.

The only games I'm sure he's going to get are the cup games. Liverpool notoriously don't go far in cup competitions so they he won't get much game there

So According to you, winning trophies means he's developing. Then all young talent should go to big teams since clearly winning trophies develops players.

Would you rather play 25 times a season for Liverpool and win things

Or

Play 40 games for Arsenal and finish 9th?

Would you rather play at Anfield or The Emirates?

Would you rather play in the Champions League or no Europe?

These are the questions you need to be answering.

Chamberlain's injury hampered him. He also has some serious competition. Just because he doesnt start every week doesnt say he isnt improving at Liverpool.

It would be hard to start ahead of Salah, Mane in an attacking position or ahead of Henderson, Winjaldum, Fabinho in midfield. They are top players. Again that doesnt say that Chamberlain is a worse player at Liverpool than he was at Arsenal.

It's just that competition at top teams means if your not at the very top level your a squad player.

Is Saka going to get less development and opportunities at Liverpool? Personally I dont think so. Tierney will be first choice left back which means Saka is fighting for left hand side attacker. Ahead of Auba? Martinelli? It will be tough. He can fill in left back also when Tierney is injured but staying at Arsenal does not guarantee him anymore playing time than signing for Liverpool.

People think he is guaranteed to start at Arsenal but he only started because of injuries. Not because he was head and shoulder above the competition.

 

[Oxeki]

Would you rather play 25 times a season for Liverpool and win things

Or

Play 40 games for Arsenal and finish 9th?

Would you rather play at Anfield or The Emirates?

Would you rather play in the Champions League or no Europe?

These are the questions you need to be answering.

Chamberlain's injury hampered him. He also has some serious competition. Just because he doesnt start every week doesnt say he isnt improving at Liverpool.

It would be hard to start ahead of Salah, Mane in an attacking position or ahead of Henderson, Winjaldum, Fabinho in midfield. They are top players. Again that doesnt say that Chamberlain is a worse player at Liverpool than he was at Arsenal.

It's just that competition at top teams means if your not at the very top level your a squad player.

Is Saka going to get less development and opportunities at Liverpool? Personally I dont think so. Tierney will be first choice left back which means Saka is fighting for left hand side attacker. Ahead of Auba? Martinelli? It will be tough. He can fill in left back also when Tierney is injured but staying at Arsenal does not guarantee him anymore playing time than signing for Liverpool.

People think he is guaranteed to start at Arsenal but he only started because of injuries. Not because he was head and shoulder above the competition.

He's 18 years FFS.

At this stage of his career he'll benefit more from playing regular football having sub appearances and playing the odd cup games.

If playing in the UCL and winning things is the biggest factor in developing players, then why do top clubs loan their young talents to inferior team in lower league? Because play time is the most important factor in the growth of a young player.

If he extends his contract by, say, 4 years, he could easily get his big move by the time he's 22/23 to a top club.

At present he's a starter at Arsenal, he's playing regularly and ironing out his flaw, going to Liverpool is going to be a massive mistake IMO.



It will probably be better to go to the likes Leipzig or BvB. stay at Arsenal.

I don't think Arteta long term plan for saka is as a LB. We already have Tierney for that. Playing Auba in the LW unbalances our team. So imagine, Arteta might have told him if he stays, he's going to get a shot at LW.

He has time on his side, he can still get his big move after developing his game at Arsenal 3-4 years from now

 

[Oxeki]

.
People think he is guaranteed to start at Arsenal but he only started because of injuries. Not because he was head and shoulder above the competition.

Well most great youngsters were discovered accidentally so to speak. Rashford won't have been discovered of Rooney or martial was fit. In their game against midtjjyland, all their senior strikers were injured. Guess what? Hee did well and started the following game against us and scored against us obviously

Bellerin was used because Debuchy was injured.

Martial was called to first team when Berbatov got injured. The list goes on and on.
This season he's been head and shoulders above all our LB this season.

His performance this season has been better than anything we've seen from Kola in his 4 years with us

 

[14Henry]

He's 18 years FFS.

At this stage of his career he'll benefit more from playing regular football having sub appearances and playing the odd cup games.

If playing in the UCL and winning things is the biggest factor in developing players, then why do top clubs loan their young talents to inferior team in lower league? Because play time is the most important factor in the growth of a young player.

If he extends his contract by, say, 4 years, he could easily get his big move by the time he's 22/23 to a top club.

At present he's a starter at Arsenal, he's playing regularly and ironing out his flaw, going to Liverpool is going to be a massive mistake IMO.



It will probably be better to go to the likes Leipzig or BvB. stay at Arsenal.

I don't think Arteta long term plan for saka is as a LB. We already have Tierney for that. Playing Auba in the LW unbalances our team. So imagine, Arteta might have told him if he stays, he's going to get a shot at LW.

He has time on his side, he can still get his big move after developing his game at Arsenal 3-4 years from now

Lets see how things pan out.

What I want to know is why an 18 year old who considers Arsenal the best place for his development (despite us not developing any young players in God knows how long), who is a London lad and who supposedly loves Arsenal is not signing the contract that's on the table or who has refused to sign it.

We all know agents are in their ear but if he was loyal to Arsenal he would have signed by now. If he really wanted to be here it would be done. It's not hard for him and his agent to negotiate and say another 10-15k a week and performance bonuses. But I suspect it's the opportunity to move somewhere else that's causing the delay.

 

[GunnerShy]

Lets see how things pan out.

What I want to know is why an 18 year old who considers Arsenal the best place for his development (despite us not developing any young players in God knows how long), who is a London lad and who supposedly loves Arsenal is not signing the contract that's on the table or who has refused to sign it.

We all know agents are in their ear but if he was loyal to Arsenal he would have signed by now. If he really wanted to be here it would be done. It's not hard for him and his agent to negotiate and say another 10-15k a week and performance bonuses. But I suspect it's the opportunity to move somewhere else that's causing the delay.

Don't have to look far in the dressing room to see the benefits of running down your contract.

I think Arsenal is the best place for him. Things are going well. Team set up, club set up, Arteta everything is in a state that allows him to have a great break out season. Playing well, young and with the world at his feet he shouldn't take it for granted. If he signs a 5 year deal on the right terms, in 3 years he's 21, that little bit more mature and knowledgeable of his own game. At that point if Arsenal haven't established ourselves back in the top 4 and moving forwards he'd be right to consider his options.

 

[14Henry]

Don't have to look far in the dressing room to see the benefits of running down your contract.

I think Arsenal is the best place for him. Things are going well. Team set up, club set up, Arteta everything is in a state that allows him to have a great break out season. Playing well, young and with the world at his feet he shouldn't take it for granted. If he signs a 5 year deal on the right terms, in 3 years he's 21, that little bit more mature and knowledgeable of his own game. At that point if Arsenal haven't established ourselves back in the top 4 and moving forwards he'd be right to consider his options.

You say Arsenal is the best place for him? Why?

You say things are going well? We are 9th. We are out of the Europa league.

Team set up? Is frankly still poor. We havent been playing well. Bar the match against United and Newcaslte we have been bang average. More solid yes. But still miles of anything resembling top 4.

Arteta what? Arteta is still unproven. We are yet to see what he is made of. I wanted Arteta and I still want him but he has proven very little to date and the big challenges are yet to come.

As I said I hope he signs and he may well do.

But if someone says to him.

Arsenal 50k a week.
Liverpool 50k a week
Dortmund 50k a week
RB Liepzig 50k a week
Man United 50k a week.
Bayern 50k a week.

Why do you pick Arsenal over the other 4 possible options? Cause he lives in London isnt enough? Cause he is guaranteed game time here? He isnt guaranteed anything. Tierney comes in left back and soon hes on the bench. And playing cup games.

He will be seeing the ambition of Arsenal and how it is run from top to bottom and think. This place is only going one way and it isnt up. Look at the other clubs around. Look at the ambition they have and the players they either have or are trying to sign.

We sell Auba in summer. What sort of statement is that to a young player that all the best players want to leave the club and here he has a perfect opportunity to jump ship to somewhere more ambitious who will also give him the same money.

There is no loyalty in football.

There are no guarantees that at Arsenal he will play anymore than other teams. That is a fact. He may not get guaranteed game time at the other clubs either but he may be joining clubs that offer him other things that we cant and I am not talking money. I'm talking success. Ambition. Top level experiences and I dont care what anyone says. You are never too young to win trophies.

 

[GunnerShy]

You say Arsenal is the best place for him? Why?

You say things are going well? We are 9th. We are out of the Europa league.

Team set up? Is frankly still poor. We havent been playing well. Bar the match against United and Newcaslte we have been bang average. More solid yes. But still miles of anything resembling top 4.

Arteta what? Arteta is still unproven. We are yet to see what he is made of. I wanted Arteta and I still want him but he has proven very little to date and the big challenges are yet to come.

As I said I hope he signs and he may well do.

But if someone says to him.

Arsenal 50k a week.
Liverpool 50k a week
Dortmund 50k a week
RB Liepzig 50k a week
Man United 50k a week.
Bayern 50k a week.

Why do you pick Arsenal over the other 4 possible options? Cause he lives in London isnt enough? Cause he is guaranteed game time here? He isnt guaranteed anything. Tierney comes in left back and soon hes on the bench. And playing cup games.

He will be seeing the ambition of Arsenal and how it is run from top to bottom and think. This place is only going one way and it isnt up. Look at the other clubs around. Look at the ambition they have and the players they either have or are trying to sign.

We sell Auba in summer. What sort of statement is that to a young player that all the best players want to leave the club and here he has a perfect opportunity to jump ship to somewhere more ambitious who will also give him the same money.

There is no loyalty in football.

There are no guarantees that at Arsenal he will play anymore than other teams. That is a fact. He may not get guaranteed game time at the other clubs either but he may be joining clubs that offer him other things that we cant and I am not talking money. I'm talking success. Ambition. Top level experiences and I dont care what anyone says. You are never too young to win trophies.

Must be a dark place inside your head mate.

Of the club's you listed, only Liverpool and Bayern are realistically any noticeably better chance of winning the league than us.

Yes we are 9th but the gap to 5th is very little in the context of the season. But isn't relevant.
You've misunderstoodwhat I mean. When I say things are going well I mean for him. He is playing very well within his current environment and set up and at 18 I'd be loath to love country away from family and potentially jeopardise that when he has a winning formula for his development and performance.