In Focus: Arsenal's season hinges on getting Sak on track

Arsenal need to get the best out of Bukayo Saka to fulfil their promise this season. 

The winger has not been in his normal potent form since picking up a thigh injury in October. 

Both Gunners manager Mikel Arteta and England boss Gareth Southgate have attracted criticism for their over-reliance on a player who is still only 22.

Ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash against Sevilla, we take a look at Saka's risk of burnout and how to get the best out of him. 

Injury issues

Prior to missing Arsenal's victory against Manchester City, Saka had played 87 consecutive Premier League games. 

Since making his debut for England in 2020, the forward has made 30 appearances for his country — giving him little room for rest. 

Such is the quality of Saka's output that he has become undroppable for both club and country. 

Arteta admitted before the match against City that he was tempted to field the Londoner despite the fact that he was carrying an injury. 

Instead he missed the game and England's clashes with Australia and Italy. 

Saka's manager recently spoke about his fitness issues and what he expects from him. 

Arteta said: "If you want to be a top, top player you have to play every three days and play 65-70 games." 

Ferdinand warning

But ex-Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand issued a warning regarding Saka following Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle over the weekend. 

He said: "I've noticed one thing, when Saka isn't on it you don't have any real creativity and Odegaard as well. 

"It's a bit like Manchester United. When Bruno and Rashford aren't scoring or creating we don't look like a threat. Arsenal seem quite similar. 

"He's played a lot of games. I'm not worried, but I'd really be looking at that. Michael Owen's a good yardstick for that. 

"Boy wonder came in, played every week back-to-back for probably two, three, four years. Look what happened to him. 

"They need to take care of Saka." 

Since missing the game against City, the reigning PFA Young Player of the Year has featured five times, registering just one assist and no goals. 

This compares to Saka scoring five and assisting five more in the 10 games before injury. 

Newcastle performance

Saka struggled in the 1-0 loss to Newcastle as he was marked out of a game in which he was shackled to the right flank. 

With Arsenal missing both Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus, they were reliant on the winger in terms of creativity and end product but could not get him into the match. 

The obvious answer would be for Saka to play in more central areas, only this would create an imbalance in Arteta's team. 

Ben White normally plays behind him as a right-back and does not make the sort of forward runs that an overlapping full-back would provide. 

It means that Arsenal are reliant on Saka for width and keep him near the touchline, where it is easier to mark him. 

This is a player that has the potential to be what Mohamed Salah has been for Liverpool but it will require a change in approach. 

Saka needs to be treated like the star of the side, rather than a mere cog. 

That means getting him into the areas where he can be dangerous and giving him time to rest.