Wayne Rooney has pinpointed two reasons Bukayo Saka is struggling at Arsenal as the Gunners chase a long-awaited Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta’s side boast a nine-point lead at the top of the table as they attempt to become Premier League champions for the first time since 2004.
While Arsenal are clearly favourites to win the title, second-placed Manchester City have a game in hand and a home match against the Gunners to try and close the gap.
Arsenal are closing in on a first league title in 22 years despite influential winger Saka enduring an underwhelming season, scoring six goals in 27 Premier League appearances.
Four of those goals came in the three months of the season, with Saka in fact registering just two league goals since early December.
The 24-year-old has attracted criticism from pundits in recent weeks, with some even suggesting Arteta should take Saka out of team following the international break.
Rooney admits Saka has ‘struggled this season’ and believes that is partly due to the ‘pressure’ of trying to end Arsenal’s long trophy drought and his significant workload since breaking into the team.
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Saka, who turns 25 in September, has already played over 300 games for the Gunners and a further 48 for England, featuring for the Three Lions at three major tournaments.
Asked about Saka’s form for club and country, ex-Manchester United and England captain Rooney said on his BBC podcast: ‘Do you know what?
‘You need to look at the pressure on Bukayo Saka, especially as he’s been captain for a lot of the season with Martin Odegaard being injured.
‘That pressure to win trophies, given where Arsenal have been, that can tally up and make it difficult for you.
‘He has struggled this season but he’s a fantastic player and he’s been brilliant. He’s played a lot of games as well in his career. I think we all know there’s more there.’
Saka was due to feature in England’s friendly against Japan on Tuesday night but left the squad and returned to Arsenal for ‘medical assessment’ along with teammate Declan Rice.
It remains to be seen whether Saka remains England’s first-choice in the right-wing position under Thomas Tuchel at this summer’s World Cup.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith admits Saka has not been at his best but believes he is still in the ‘box seat’ to start for England.
‘It’s not been the best, has it, for him? He’s set such high standards,’ Smith told BestBettingSites.
‘But he’s always done well for England. He knows what it’s about. He’s got great tournament experience and he’s done well in tournaments.
‘So it would take a lot I think for Tuchel to drop him. Plus the fact he hasn’t really got anybody you’d say, oh no, he should be in ahead of him.
‘Jarrod Bowen plays on the right. Noni Madueke, his clubmate. But I still think Saka’s in the box seat comfortably, really.’
Arsenal’s first game back following the international break is a FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton on Saturday.
Arteta’s side then begin a two-legged last-16 Champions League clash against Sporting before resuming their Premier League title charge against Bournemouth.
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