JAMIE REDKNAPP DEMANDS POSITION CHANGE FOR BUKAYO SAKA FOLLOWING WEMBLEY FINAL LOSS
Jamie Redknapp suggests Arsenal move Bukayo Saka to the left wing to save their Premier League title hopes in 2026.
Jamie Redknapp thinks Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League hinge on Bukayo Saka finding his best form again, maybe even by switching positions. After Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Saka had another quiet day on the pitch.
In the first half, Arsenal looked a bit sharper and almost scored when Kai Havertz tested City’s keeper, James Trafford. But once the second half started, Manchester City took control, with Nico O’Reilly scoring twice quickly to clinch the trophy for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Saka used to be one of Arsenal’s most dangerous players, but lately, he’s been struggling, managing only two goals since early December. Redknapp pointed out that Saka isn’t quite reaching the level he’s capable of and suggested that moving him to the left wing might help reignite his spark.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp said, “This is where your key players have to step up. Right now, I feel Saka isn’t performing at his best. I want to see more from him. He’s been a difference-maker for Arsenal many times before, but recently, that creativity and goal threat have been missing. With players like Max Dowman and Noni Madueke waiting in the wings, maybe a position change could help. It looks like he’s struggling to get past opponents, and he needs to play with more confidence if Arsenal want to clinch the title.”
Even though Arsenal’s chance at a quadruple ended abruptly, they still lead the Premier League by nine points over City. Redknapp, however, believes City’s Carabao Cup victory shifts the tone of the title race, making it tighter than before.
He added, “Last year, when Liverpool lost to Newcastle, they had a 12-point lead with no games in hand. That kind of cushion makes a difference. For Arsenal, this defeat brings doubts and negativity. I wouldn’t say it puts City back in the race entirely, but it definitely gives them a big chance when they meet again in April.”
Ian Wright, another Arsenal legend, echoed this sentiment. He noted that although Arsenal is ahead by nine points, City’s game in hand means the margin could shrink, turning up the pressure on Arsenal.
Wright said, “The pressure’s really on now. This nine-point gap isn’t as safe as it looks. Arsenal need to refocus and get back on track. Wins, no matter how they come, even from set pieces, are what matter. That resilience is in their DNA, and they’ve got to kick it into gear because the season isn’t over yet.”
Aside from the league, Arsenal still have Champions League and FA Cup quarter-final matches ahead, taking on Sporting and Southampton, respectively. Plenty to keep an eye on as the season unfolds.
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
