One talismanic Arsenal star failed to step up against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
Arsenal could not produce their best performance as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich at the quarter-final stage.
Having battled to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium, this was a must-win game for the Gunners with a spot in the Champions League semi-finals on the line. The North London club have not reached the last four in Europe’s elite club competition since 2009.
Bukayo Saka fails to inspire Arsenal against Bayern Munich
However, when Mikel Arteta needed his players to step up, they could not find the extra gear they needed to get past the German giants. The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession and territory in the first half, but lacked cutting edge.
Bayern Munich grew into the game, and grabbed their all-important goal after the break. Three Arsenal players were blamed for allowing Joshua Kimmich to ghost into the box and power his header home past David Raya.
After that point, Arsenal never looked likely to break down Bayern Munich’s dogged defensive effort. It was a situation that called for a moment of brilliance from one of Gunners’ star men, but none could deliver.
In the past, Bukayo Saka has so often been the man to produce a moment of magic when Arteta’s team are in need of one. The 22-year-old Hale End academy graduate is already idolised at the Emirates Stadium on the basis of the enormous contribution he has already made so early in his career.
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Bukayo Saka slump will concern Mikel Arteta
In recent weeks, though, the winger has looked below par, and that trend continued in Germany. As per WhoScored statistics, Saka did not manage a single shot, key pass, or successful dribble in this game.
He worked hard, as ever. Saka tracked back diligently to help Ben White and never shied away from receiving the ball. The final touch or moment of inspiration was lacking though, to Arsenal’s cost.
The England man has now netted just twice in his last six games, and one of those strikes came from the penalty spot. This slump will surely be concerning Arteta.
At this stage in the campaign, Arsenal need Saka to be firing on all cylinders. If they are to stand any chance of winning the Premier League title at this point, he will need to fire them to that triumph.
Saka has been dubbed a “world-class” player this season. In order to live up to that billing though, he needs to deliver when it matters most.