Mikel Arteta’s patience with Bukayo Saka is wearing thin. The Arsenal manager has made it clear: the 25-year-old winger must step up to a new level of consistency, targeting **two or three goals per game**, if he is to remain a cornerstone of the team’s attack. The demand comes amid growing scrutiny over Saka’s recent form, where a promising start to the season—three goals in his first four matches—has since stalled, leaving him struggling for impact against mid-table opposition like Nottingham Forest.
The pressure on Saka is not just tactical but existential. Arsenal’s summer transfer window was defined by missteps: the departure of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, the underwhelming arrival of Christos Tzolis as a backup option, and the failure to secure a world-class striker to complement Martinelli’s departure. Meanwhile, Arteta’s search for a **ceiling-raising left winger**—a position long identified as a weakness—has intensified. Reports suggest the manager’s ideal signing is a player who can **complement Saka’s creativity with physicality and finishing**, a role that has yet to be filled. The Gunners’ failure to land Malick Fofana, a target linked to a deadline-day move, has only deepened the urgency.
Saka’s struggles on the pitch have not gone unnoticed. Former Arsenal defender Gilles Grimandi has hinted that **Kvicha Kvaratskhelia**—a player Arteta has long coveted—could be the solution to the left-winger dilemma, but the Spaniard remains unavailable. Meanwhile, Saka’s detractors, including pundit Carlton Cole, have been vocal in their criticism. Cole has labeled the Arsenal star a **‘passenger’**, questioning his work rate and contribution in recent matches. The criticism is not without merit: Saka’s recent outings have shown a player who, while still technically gifted, lacks the same clinical finishing or physical dominance that defines elite Premier League forwards.
The stakes could not be higher. Arsenal’s title ambitions rest on Saka’s ability to deliver when it matters most. His recent form—**a single goal in three matches**—has raised eyebrows, particularly after his early-season surge. Arteta’s blunt assessment is a warning: Saka must prove he can be more than a **one-club player**, a role that has defined his career but no longer suffices for a team chasing European glory. The coming months will determine whether Saka can meet the challenge or if Arsenal will be forced to rethink their attack entirely.
