Bukayo Saka struggled before Noni Madueke's introduction against Bayer Leverkusen so what's behind the Arsenal forward's dip this season?

12 March 2026, 10:35 | Updated: 12 March 2026, 13:24

It is highly unusual to see Bukayo Saka's number come up as early as the 60th minute, especially in a game in which Arsenal need a goal. And yet it came as little surprise against Bayer Leverkusen. Their captain on the night had struggled.

For an hour at the BayArena, Saka was unable to find a way through on Arsenal's right-hand side, sometimes confronted by as many as three Bayer Leverkusen defenders. He only completed one of his four attempted dribbles. He only won two of his eight duels.

"I thought we needed something else," said Mikel Arteta afterwards. Saka was not alone among Arsenal's attacking players in finding it difficult, but his replacement, Noni Madueke, made an immediate impact, his directness ultimately winning the penalty.

"No surprise at all because that's his biggest quality," added Arteta in his press conference. "He's very brave at doing that and is a real threat. To have a player with that ability when you need him, and to step in in the manner that he did, big credit to him."

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