Arteta defends Saka after Bayer Leverkusen criticism

Published on Sunday, 15 March 2026 at 12:05 am

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued a staunch defence of Bukayo Saka after the winger’s subdued display in Wednesday’s away meeting with Bayer Leverkusen drew criticism. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Everton, Arteta underlined the club’s unwavering faith in the 23-year-old, insisting that one quiet evening does not define a season of relentless contribution.

“We fully trust him and love him,” Arteta told reporters. “What he’s doing for us, for this club, is just incredible at his age and he’s continued to have that massive impact for us. He can have an individual performance that is not probably a reflection of his level, like every human, every player in the world. But overall when you look at his strength and the impulse he has in the team, it’s just incredible.”

The Spaniard also revealed that Saka is on the verge of surpassing his total minutes from the entire 2024-25 campaign. Should the England international feature in any meaningful capacity against Everton, he will move ahead of last season’s tally, despite spending a chunk of that schedule sidelined with a serious hamstring injury that ultimately required surgery. This season Saka has missed only six matches through injury, evidence of both his durability and the heavy reliance placed upon him.

Arteta acknowledged the workload, noting that the winger’s minutes have accumulated rapidly for a player still easing back from a major physical setback. Yet the manager was quick to place the recent performance in context, emphasising that Saka has produced numerous standout displays during the current campaign and is expected to deliver many more before June. An occasional dip, Arteta argued, is an inevitable consequence of the relentless schedule and the demands of elite football.

Arsenal supporters will hope the winger can rediscover his sharpest form at the weekend, but the message from the Emirates hierarchy is clear: Saka remains central to their ambitions, one quiet night in Germany notwithstanding.