Arsenal just lately handed Bukayo Saka a bumper new contract – the issue is, he’s not performing just like the star participant his pay packet suggests he’s.
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The England worldwide is just not having his greatest season, and it was notable how a lot better Arsenal appeared after they subbed him off for Noni Madueke in final night time’s Champions League conflict with Bayer Leverkusen.
Whereas targets and assists aren’t every part, they’re fairly vital forex for the star attacker of a high membership, and people numbers solely appear to be going within the incorrect course for Saka.
Bukayo Saka’s G/A numbers proceed to say no
See under as a fairly clear sample has emerged displaying that Saka peaked together with his output two years in the past, with accidents clearly seeming to take a toll since then…
Up to now in 2025/26, Saka is on 9 targets and 5 assists in 39 video games in all competitions – a distinctly common return, and maybe extra regarding because the season goes on, with the 24-year-old on simply two targets and two assists in 2026 to date.
The presence of Saka means Madueke has had restricted minutes, however he’s nonetheless managed seven targets and one help in 29 appearances, solely 19 of which have been within the beginning XI.
Bukayo Saka not justifying enormous new Arsenal contract
In line with the Guardian, Saka is now on a contract till 2031, with Arsenal set to pay him £15m a yr till that point, amounting to roughly a £75m funding.
If Arsenal had agreed that type of deal a yr or two in the past, nobody would bat an eyelid, however in the meanwhile it appears to be like just like the membership could have walked into a significant mistake.
Saka’s health has been patchy, and it’s beginning to appear like it’s having an impact together with his on-pitch shows.
For somebody who’s performed a lot soccer already at a comparatively younger age, it wouldn’t be shocking if we noticed Saka endure in a lot the identical method as different explosive younger forwards did.
Names like Michael Owen and Marcus Rashford come to thoughts as gamers who peaked far sooner than the usual 25-28 age bracket as a result of turning into vital first-team regulars as youngsters.
Bukayo Saka wants a relaxation, however when will it come?
It appears to be like like Saka simply wants a relaxation proper now after such a gruelling schedule in the previous few years, with the winger taking part in at a excessive degree each three days just about continuously.
Sadly, Mikel Arteta wants his star man to be able to struggle for the Premier League title, Carabao Cup last, and continued runs within the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Whereas Madueke is displaying himself to be a positive various, it appears unlikely that Arsenal are going to bench their highest earner any time quickly, with each recreation at this stage of the season wanting vastly vital.
And after that, there’s the World Cup with England to consider, with Saka virtually sure to be on the aircraft to North America, and prone to be in Thomas Tuchel’s first XI on the match.
Arsenal know they’ve an elite expertise on their palms, therefore the large pay day and the frequent minutes, however as time goes on it more and more looks like these two issues can’t go hand in hand comfortably collectively.
