Paul Merson urges Bukayo Saka to ‘come up with solutions’ ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has sent a huge warning to Bukayo Saka ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Sheffield United on Saturday. Saka provided an assist in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea last time out in the top-flight but his overall display was far from his best and he was largely kept quiet by Blues left-back Marc Cucurella.
The 22-year-old winger, arguably Arsenal’s most important player, has provided four goals and three assists in his opening eight Premier League games this term. His form will be key if Arsenal are to mount another serious title challenge and Gunners legend Merson has urged Saka to ‘come up with solutions’.
‘Bukayo Saka [has] earned his reputation as one of the biggest matchwinners in the Premier League, so teams will start to highlight him,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.
‘He’s got to come up with solutions, as Marc Cucurella marked him out of the game the other day. Saka will be singled out by opposition managers when it comes to their team talks and they might even double up on him, it’s up to him to find solutions to make things happen for his team.’
Darren Bent believes Mikel Arteta made a mistake in picking Saka
Meanwhile, Darren Bent believes Mikel Arteta made a mistake in picking Saka for the game against Chelsea due to injury concerns surrounding the player.
‘There have been times where I think Arteta has been a little bit arrogant in the way he’s picked his teams,’ Bent told Premier League Productions.
‘I mean, I don’t think Martinelli looked particularly fit [against Chelsea], I don’t think Saka looked fit, and I don’t know if they’re still carrying knocks but they just didn’t look like they had the same pop they usually have when they get the ball.’
The importance of Bukayo Saka for Arsenal
It is clear that Bukayo Saka is an incredibly important player for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will be hoping that he can stay fit and firing for the remainder of the season. With teams now starting to highlight Saka as one of the biggest matchwinners in the Premier League, it is up to him to come up with solutions to make things happen for his team.
Saka will need to be at his best if Arsenal are to mount a serious title challenge this season and he will be hoping to make an impact when they take on Sheffield United on Saturday.