Overview
- Saka has been given the first week of the international window off as Thomas Tuchel seeks to protect near-certain starters before the World Cup.
- Questions about his form intensified after he captained Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, with voices from Wayne Rooney to fan outlets debating whether he needs a reset.
- This season he has nine goals in all competitions and six in 27 league games, with only two since the new year after a hamstring layoff and a later hip issue that cost three matches.
- Advanced metrics show his output lags the chances he helps create, with expected returns pointing to roughly one more goal and three more assists than he has.
- He has logged 2,869 minutes already as injuries to right-side partners Martin Odegaard and Ben White disrupted familiar patterns, with Arsenal's schedule still capable of stretching to about 57 games if they reach both finals.