Journalist James McNicholas has now claimed that one Arsenal player produced his worst ever performance for the Gunners v Bayern Munich.
To a man, Arsenal were below par as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
The Gunners were eliminated from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by the German giants, who triumphed over the two legs by virtue of a 3-2 aggregate scoreline.
None of Arsenal’s star men were able to produce a much-needed moment of magic at the Allianz Arena. Martin Odegaard was well marshalled by the Bayern Munich midfield unit. Bukayo Saka also frustrated.
Arsenal fans were not impressed with Saka last night. The 22-year-old winger carries so much of the burden for providing the Gunners’ threat. However, the stats show that Saka was never able to seriously test the hosts’ defensive resolve.
Saka may well have broken a Champions League record across this quarter-final tie, but he did not produce a performance for the history books last night.
Bukayo Saka hits Arsenal low point v Bayern Munich
In truth, the Hale End academy graduate has looked short of his best for the last couple of weeks. He is clearly fatigued, and that is perhaps unsurprising as Mikel Arteta is so reliant upon the England star. Saka starts virtually every game for the North London club, and is routinely kicked from pillar to post by opposition defenders.
Arsenal need him to rediscover his best form quickly if they are to stand any chance of getting their campaign back on track and taking their Premier League title push down to the wire.
James McNicholas certainly wasn’t enamoured with what he saw from Saka in Germany. Speaking on his latest On The Whistle YouTube video, after Arsenal were beaten, the reporter said, “Bukayo Saka had one of his poorest games, I’ve got to say, that I’ve seen him have in an Arsenal shirt. Perhaps he wasn’t fit, he didn’t look it.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house
Mikel Arteta must address Bukayo Saka issue in summer transfer window
The lack of an adequate back-up option for Saka has become a real problem. The forward is exhausted at this crucial point in the campaign because he has hardly ever been given a rest throughout the season so far.
Arteta does not have a player he trusts enough to regularly rotate with Saka. The fact that Reiss Nelson has only been handed one Premier League start this season is testament to that.
Finding a player who can cover for Saka and challenge him for his place in the team is a must in the upcoming summer transfer window.