Arsenal legend says Bukayo Saka is ‘not the player he was’

Bukayo Saka is ‘not the player he once was’ and ‘goes down too easily’, according to Arsenal legend David O’Leary.

Saka has enjoyed a bright start to the 2026/27 season, scoring three goals in six appearances for defending Premier League champions Arsenal.

The England international joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of seven and made his first-team debut back in 2018.

Saka has since made over 300 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 84 goals in all competitions and helping to end Arsenal’s long wait for a Premier League title.

The 25-year-old has been one of Arsenal’s most influential players over the past decade and signed a new bumper contract back in February to make him the highest-paid player at the Emirates Stadium.

O’Leary has questioned whether Saka deserves that tag, however, and says he is ‘not the player he once was’.

‘I really like the guy but I honestly don’t think he’s in the best form,’ Arsenal’s all-time record appearance maker told talkSPORT.

‘But I do think one thing, seeing him grow up and get into the team before everyone knew how good he was, I think he goes down too much now.

‘I think he’s looking for that touch to go down and the player I saw before that was much more positive, he was not going to let the full-back put him on the deck, or anybody else.

‘He’s not the player that he was, without a doubt. He’s still a top player, but is he the player that got this fantastic new contract at Arsenal to make him one of the top-paid players in the country? I don’t think so at the moment.’

Asked why he believes Saka has in his opinion deteriorated, O’Leary added: ‘I’d love to give you an honest answer on that, the guy hasn’t changed, we haven’t got the arrogant side.

‘I don’t know what’s happened. But when I look at the team and how it’s progressing, whose playing well and how great Declan Rice was yesterday, I think Saka has to step up again.

‘If he does step up, Arsenal become a more powerful team.’

Arsenal suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the international break but responded with a comeback win over Leeds United.

Speaking after the victory, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: ‘Before the game we talked about two things.

‘One, the challenge ahead because Leeds had not lost in the Premier League and it was going to be really tough. And second one, to restore our identity and be ourselves again, regardless of the context of the match.

‘We weren’t pleased against Brighton and today was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected.’

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