Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has addressed Bukayo Saka’s recent dip in form, saying the winger’s performances have fallen below the high standards he has set for himself, while urging Mikel Arteta to find ways to get the best out of the England international.
Winterburn pointed to a combination of factors potentially contributing to Saka’s struggles, including the impact of injuries sustained over the past two seasons, opposition teams doubling up on him, and questions over whether Arsenal’s style of play is getting the best out of him in transition.
The former left-back, speaking to AceOdds, was keen to frame his assessment as an observation rather than an attack on Saka’s ability, insisting any player can experience a dip in form.
“In terms of form, there has been a little bit of a drop-off. What you also need to look at is that twice last season and once this season, he’s had injuries. You’re assuming he’s fully over them. Is it Arsenal’s style of play? Are we a bit too slow in transitions? He’s usually got two men marking him which makes it very difficult.
“When you’ve been at such a high level, you are judged by what you’re doing going forward. I would imagine it’s been a frustrating time for him as well.
“For me it’s not criticism because anybody can have a bit of a drop in form. I would throw it back to Mikel Arteta and Bukayo and say, ‘right, how do we get you back to the very top level which we know you’re capable of producing’.
“That may be a tweak in the way they play, a tweak in the positions that Bukayo is being asked to play.
“There has been a slight drop in form, and that’s not a criticism, it’s there for a lot of people to see.”
