Bukayo Saka: From Starboy to Champion

[Trilly]

I really hope he’s back to his true levels next season because the quality on the ball on the very few occasions he did get it was so bad.

Feels like he genuinely lost the ball, miskicked or took a heavy touch every time he got the ball. He was one of the big reasons why we couldn’t sustain possession and that’s not what I expected from Saka’s first CL final.

 

[Big Nate]

they both should've taken the onus as only they have the ability offensively in this squad

Yeah thats what we need but unfortunately both have been injured for loads of the season, and when they have played they mostly havent been the top level players we know they can be. Saka has been closer to that level than Ødegaard has been though.

If this tactic worked for us, not a single Arsenal fan would have complained about Saka's performance. And it nearly did work.

Sakas defensive work was excellent, but in attacking areas it still would have been underpar. Winning doesn't change the analysis of a performance. Maduekes penalty could have been given and we win 2-1, but that doesnt change how we analyse the performances.

What worries me most is that we go into next season with him as our primary RWer and he plays out most of the season like this again, and the alternative is Madueke which doesn't make for great reading.

Dowman should get more playing time next season but it will be interesting to see if he plays RW or CAM

 

[GDeep™]

Been saying it all season it seems, but the signs look bad to me. He’s got more credit in the bank though so he’s cool, for now.

 

[Artemis]

Madueke, Goykeres, Martinelli and (to a lesser extent) Eze deserve significantly more criticism than Saka.

By the time those 4 came on the pitch, PSG already removed most of their key players. It was effectively our second team Vs their second team, and our second team was stronger than theirs.

You'll see me hammer this point many times on here. Because that's the one thing I couldn't understand and still can't accept.

How is it possible to put on Madueke, Goykeres, Martinelli and Eze against a tired PSG with their most dangerous players already subbed off, have almost zero impact on the game? They produced nothing. They couldn't mount basic attacks. No circulation of the ball. It was unreal.

It was kind of a disgrace if you think about it.

Our first XI did their job as far I'm concerned. They should have done better obviously but they did the bare minimum. They kept PSG at bay to the point where PSG had no choice but to remove their most dangerous players.

Our subs performed shockingly & that's just an undeniable fact. They should have swung the game.

 

[cannon]

Been saying it all season it seems, but the signs look bad to me. He’s got more credit in the bank though so he’s cool, for now.

I think if there was no World Cup I’d be less worried as he would have a good rest.but he’s going to start for England as the alternative is Noni. Saka needs a good rest and whatever therapy for his Achilles.

 

[Artemis]

Sakas defensive work was excellent, but in attacking areas it still would have been underpar. Winning doesn't change the analysis of a performance. Maduekes penalty could have been given and we win 2-1, but that doesnt change how we analyse the performances.

Realistically, he was up against Mendes & Kvat on that side. Mosquira literally needed as much support as possible. If Timber started, then yeah, I would have been a bit harsher on Saka.

But the priority was to completely shut down PSG's left flank and Mosquira needed all the help he could get. You saw exactly what happened the moment that Mosquira lost his man.

It takes a lot out of Saka to do that job. Madueke was up against a tired Mendes & didn't even have Kvat to worry about.

Our subs lost the game for us.

 

[GoonerJay24]

Is he good enough to be our main attacking threat?

I understand injuries have clearly affected him, but does he have the talent level of Ben Arfa, Olise, Salah, Robben or Hazard to be the focal point on the right and take us to the next level?

His decision making this season is way worse than before

 

[Jasard]

I really hope he’s back to his true levels next season because the quality on the ball on the very few occasions he did get it was so bad.

Feels like he genuinely lost the ball, miskicked or took a heavy touch every time he got the ball. He was one of the big reasons why we couldn’t sustain possession and that’s not what I expected from Saka’s first CL final.

Don't get how he's going to get the opportunity to get back to normal. Zero rest coming up,probably another long run and devastating exit with England again that'll cost him next season.

We'll see a lot of Noni next season...

 

[Gunner D]

I really hope he’s back to his true levels next season because the quality on the ball on the very few occasions he did get it was so bad.

Feels like he genuinely lost the ball, miskicked or took a heavy touch every time he got the ball. He was one of the big reasons why we couldn’t sustain possession and that’s not what I expected from Saka’s first CL final.

It’s his decision making in the final 3rd for me. Keeps trying to play hero ball. Constantly trying to shoot in poor positions when he should be passing it.

He did kinda cut it out when he came back from his latest injury, but yesterday he was very greedy.

 

[Trilly]

It’s his decision making in the final 3rd for me. Keeps trying to play hero ball. Constantly trying to shoot in poor positions when he should be passing it.

He did kinda cut it out when he came back from his latest injury, but yesterday he was very greedy.

Desperation really, lack of faith in his teammates, no top players to defer/share the responsibility with.

He should still do better but I also don’t blame him tbh.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Saka will be interesting watching him in world cup with his form not sure England are in great position you only got Kane on form the others are struggling.

But I hope he have good world cup but what he need is really to find his old form.

Watching him yesterday was struggle he making easy decision look difficult he keep the ball unnecessarily long without doing anything.

 

[Maddar16]

The guy is simply physically broken, clear as day, and with the WC, Tuchel loves him and will play every possible min, and then expected to defend the title next season. Remember he came back from injury early for what his injury was, and clearly is still not in shape.

Noni has to either push/support him better or Dowman has to get in. The guy needs a complete month off football. Its why its imperative we find another elite forward to allow Saka to take back seat time to time.

 

[Ljonin]

Extremely disappointing season all in all, culminating in a horror show yesterday. He needs to be the difference maker in that caliber of games considering the money he’s now on.

Unfortunately he’s now very much a part in why we need to drastically improve our attack. More of an issue than Trossard on the other flank imo

 

[Majora]

Love him but I just wish that when he’s not playing well, he would opt to simplify his game. Instead he seems to go into hero ball mode where he tries to force something, and it never comes off. Every game I see that shot from outside of the box that just isn’t on, I know he’s not going to offer anything. Don’t even think it’s an ego thing, just think he tries to overcompensate when he recognises that he isn’t playing well

 

[Gunner D]

Desperation really, lack of faith in his teammates, no top players to defer/share the responsibility with.

He should still do better but I also don’t blame him tbh.

Yeah not blaming him either, but he’s so much better when he keeps it simple, regardless of what players he’s got playing around him. Tryna spam shots from poor angles aint it.

Love the kid though.

 

[MartiSaka]

I think if there was no World Cup I’d be less worried as he would have a good rest.but he’s going to start for England as the alternative is Noni. Saka needs a good rest and whatever therapy for his Achilles.

England out in the group stage would be the best for everyone concerned.

 

[RandomHero84]

I see a guy who needs anything but another summer of football.

 

[Ljonin]

Need a lot more from him with those wages. Huge pressure on him to deliver next season imo

 

[Thrice]

It’s his decision making in the final 3rd for me. Keeps trying to play hero ball. Constantly trying to shoot in poor positions when he should be passing it.

He did kinda cut it out when he came back from his latest injury, but yesterday he was very greedy.

I noticed that as well. He had some tunnel vision in a few situations. Always looking for the shot. Kind of the anti-Ødegaard in that regard.

 

[jaystewart]

How is it possible to put on Madueke, Goykeres, Martinelli and Eze against a tired PSG with their most dangerous players already subbed off, have almost zero impact on the game? They produced nothing. They couldn't mount basic attacks. No circulation of the ball. It was unreal.

Because our midfielders aren't good enough to hold/sustain possesion and recycle our attacks. Attackers can't produce if they rarely get the ball and its in terrible positions. I thought Madueke was probably our most dangerous asset on the ball.

I love Saka but Madueke will be starter next season - I'd give him that opportunity anyway. We need to bring in a high level player at LW.