Bukayo Saka’s role as Arsenal captain has been called into question following their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
After the loss at St James’ Park former Chelsea star Tony Cascarino has recommended Mikel Arteta hands the captain’s armband to another teammate so he can concentrate on his own performances.
Saka is wearing the armband in Martin Odegaard's absence
Saka is wearing the armband in Martin Odegaard's absence
He told the Weekend Sports Breakfast: “Bukayo Saka's a fantastic player, and I speak highly of him all the time, because I love his desire, his hunger, his goal, intelligence as a player, his assists.
“I just don't want him to be captain because I think he needs to be on his game and think about his game only.
“You've got Declan Rice in there. Give him the captain's armband. You've got Thomas Partey. I just feel you should be going, Saka, you play your game. I think certain players need to be just left to play their game.
“And when they're forwards, generally, whether it's a goal scorer or a winger, let them get on with it. I just think Arsenal have enough captains in there.
“And this has taken nothing away from Saka, because I think he's a fabulous talent that needs to be. just leave to get on with his game."
Yet again 'Starboy' has been Arsenal’s main man, having the most goal involvements in the squad with 10, only failing to register one against Newcastle and Leicester.
The Englishman is key for Arsenal but despite his best efforts on Saturday the title challengers were lacklustre and flat-footed.
Eddie Howe stifled Arteta with a compact defence, supported by a midfield with former Gunner Joe Willock, that was tireless in covering ground.
Tino Livramento especially had a good game, often suffocating Gabriel Martinelli’s attempts to bypass the defender.
Saka was a tough test for Lewis Hall, at one point skipping past the full-back to deliver a low cross into space but with no teammate present to muster a shot on target.
The winger has been at the top of his game but the captaincy might be too much for him, claims Cascarino
The winger has been at the top of his game but the captaincy might be too much for him, claims CascarinoCredit: Getty
Arsenal’s best chance of the game originated from the England international who whipped in a splendid cross onto Rice who failed to direct the ball goalwards in injury time.
They only managed one shot on target despite holding 63.9 per cent of possession.
The title may already be over as only Manchester City in 2020/21 have won the Premier League with as few as 18 points after ten games.
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Fans are unsatisfied with a lack of attacking potency currently on display - a stark contrast to Arsenal’s electric 2022/23 season which saw Gabriel Martinelli and Odegaard score 15 times each.
Cascarino continued: “I look at their, especially their forward players, and I'm not including Saka in this because I think largely he's been outstanding for Arsenal this season, but Martinelli's way off his game. He's a young man, he signed a new deal not so long ago, he was flying, he seems like he's lost his place slightly with the introduction of Trossard coming to the club.
“Trossard's playing a slightly different role, he's sort of lost his little bit of form as well. Havertz is looking more like the Havertz that Chelsea had for a while, and he's had a really good start to the season. They were second best everywhere on the pitch, I felt."
Arteta seemed to trade electric attacking football for a stone wall defence, one which earned 18 clean sheets last season with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes performing at world class levels.
However, this season has not reflected a team with Pep Guardiola like fluidity or a Jose Mourinho type brawn.
Saka has continued to impress this season, breaking a Thierry Henry record
Saka has continued to impress this season, breaking a Thierry Henry record
Arsenal have now gone six Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet, dating back to September when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0.
No other forward has given Arsenal the consistency needed to be confident in a title charge.
This debate comes as the usual captain, Martin Odegaard, suffered an ankle injury on international break for Norway against Austria in September.
Prior to the Newcastle match Arteta gave an update on the midfielder’s fitness: “Now is the stage when he will do certain work with us. Let's see how he deals with pain, if he moves naturally enough, if he is physically now at the level that requires him to compete.
“But with the work rate and the hours he’s put in, I would be surprised that the moment he starts training with us, we don’t say that he looks ready. So hopefully soon.”
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