Paul Merson sends Arsenal warning and identifies long-term Bukayo Saka ‘problem’
Paul Merson, an Arsenal legend, has cautioned Bukayo Saka that his future career may present more challenges, which could create a problem for the team’s coach, Mikel Arteta.
Saka has been performing exceptionally well this season, scoring 13 goals and providing 10 assists in 38 games, and has been a driving force behind Arsenal’s lead in the league table.
He has also demonstrated his capabilities on the world stage, scoring three goals at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Daily Mail has reported that Saka is expected to become Arsenal’s highest-paid player, earning £300,000 per week, and an announcement regarding his new contract is imminent.
Earlier this year, football.london revealed that Arsenal had activated a one-year extension option in Saka’s current contract, which will now expire in 2024, much to the delight of Arteta and Arsenal supporters.
football.london reported last month that the 21-year-old had informed Arsenal of his desire to remain with the club, dealing a major blow to Manchester City and Liverpool, two clubs heavily linked with a move for the winger, ahead of the summer transfer window.
Merson believes that Saka will need to adapt his game as opposing players and teams seek to neutralize his impact on games, given that he is likely to remain at Arsenal for the foreseeable future.
“The problem he will find is because of the position he plays he will find things harder at some stage,” Merson told Sky Sports. “As he becomes more well known, teams will put him on the radar a lot more.
“Teams will look to stop the ball getting to him and they will also double up on him very quickly. He will have to change his game again to combat that, but he has the temperament to handle that.”
Merson continued by heaping praise on the Hale End star and highlighting a key trait Saka possesses that has helped turn Arsenal into title contenders in the Premier League.”But he just loves football,” added Merson.
“All he wants is to play football and he plays the game with a smile on his face. He has all the ingredients to go as far as he wants in the game.
“Saka is a big moment player, and he produces at crucial times in big football matches. He’s not the player that gets a hat-trick against a side bottom of the league or he’s not grabbing the seventh goal in a 7-0 win.
“At Arsenal, he’s getting the first goal, the equaliser or the winner. He’s getting assists at crucial moments.
“He’s a big occasion player and there are not a lot of them around. There are players that will do a lot of things in games, but they won’t be in the most important part of the game. Saka does do that, however, on a weekly basis.”
Paul Merson sends Arsenal warning and identifies long-term Bukayo Saka ‘problem’
