Are we seeing another Bukayo Saka end-of-season slump?

Securing the long-term future of Bukayo Saka is of the utmost importance, and Arsenal supporters will almost unanimously agree that their starboy deserves every penny of his reported bumper new deal. 

The masterful winger was a beacon of hope in dark times and has been a distinct beneficiary of the club’s upsurge under Mikel Arteta – one he’s played a key role in orchestrating. Saka’s game has been taken to new heights ever since he endured the toughest moment of his young blossoming career in the Euro 2020 final.

From then on, Arsenal’s shining light has overcome adversity time and time again and subsequently emerged as one of Europe’s most valuable players. Arsenal are just so lucky to have him, with rival supporters even boasting a begrudging admiration for the 21-year-old. At the end of the day, what’s not to like?

Are we seeing another Bukayo Saka end-of-season slump?

The winger’s significance to Arteta’s project in north London is depicted by the sheer number of minutes he’s accumulated during the Spaniard’s tenure thus far. After racking up 5,555 Premier League minutes during Arteta’s first two full seasons at the helm, Saka is now on course to exceed 3,000 league minutes for the first time in his career.

The Gunners seemingly can’t fully function in his absence, despite Arteta now possessing a couple of handy alternatives in Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard. Record-signing Nicolas Pepe was Saka’s previous deputy, but the Ivorian’s issues without the ball and his inconsistency with it have rendered him surplus to requirements.

Saka’s majesty and ability to perform his role within Arteta’s system to a level his deputies can’t come close to replicating has almost forced the boss into perpetually starting the 21-year-old. As a result, Saka has started 32 of Arsenal’s 34 Premier League games this season, notching an impressive 24 goal contributions.

Despite such a heavy workload and often taking heavy punishment on the pitch, the winger has remained injury free throughout his career so far, missing just two games since he broke into Unai Emery’s first team. This record shouldn’t be scoffed at, but while Saka’s availability has been pristine, an argument could be made that a pattern is emerging regarding fatigue at the backend of the season.

A downturn in production is evident during crunch time. Over the past three seasons, Saka has registered seven goal contributions in 24 April and May league appearances – a goal contribution every 3.42 games. Since the start of the 2020/21 campaign, Saka has notched either a goal or an assist every 2.05 games. 

Saka’s burnout manifested at the worst possible time last season when the Gunners were thumped 3-0 by Tottenham and 2-0 by Newcastle which compromised their top-four bid at the last. This time around, Saka has ‘struggled’ since the March international break, although he did put the team on his back during the 3-3 draw with Southampton. He’s simply not playing with the same zip or vigour that makes him such a threat down Arsenal’s right flank, and at Newcastle, he was guilty of spurning a gilt-edged opportunity when sent through one-on-one against Nick Pope. The penalty at West Ham has to be mentioned, too.

Overall, the mastery and efficiency that have defined Saka’s season have seemingly dissipated down the stretch and other performers, most notably Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, have stepped up to reignite Arsena’s title bid after a costly April.

Saka’s performances and unproductivity in the final third point towards fatigue taking its toll down the stretch, and this will only exacerbate next season with Arsenal returning to the Champions League. Stiffer competition for their magnificent starboy is a necessity this summer.