Arsenal fans fume at Bukayo Saka after ‘disasterclass’ vs Bayer Leverkusen: ‘Flat out liability’

Arsenal fans have torn into Bukayo Saka and called for him to be benched after his poor showing in their 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal salvaged a point against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday night.

Kai Havertz’s late penalty saw the visitors draw level on the night after Robert Andrich had powered a header past David Raya to give Leverkusen the lead just after the interval.

Saka started on the right wing for the Gunners at the BayArena, but struggled to make an impact and was taken off on the hour mark.

Arsenal’s next match sees them face Everton before hosting Leverkusen in the second leg, with some fans unsure if the England winger should be trusted to start ahead of Noni Madueke by Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal fans blast Bukayo Saka for ‘tragic’ performance in Leverkusen loss

Saka was too predictable against Leverkusen wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo, as he completed just one dribble from three attempts and failed to deliver an accurate cross to a teammate from another three attempts.

He lost possession 14 times on the night and also failed to test Janis Blaswich in the hosts’ goal, while winning just two of his eight ground duels in a wholly ineffective performance.

Saka was the first Gunners player to be taken off by Arteta, as Madueke replaced him in the 60th minute and went on to win their late penalty under pressure from Malik Tillman.

Taking to X to react to his performance, one Arsenal supporter said: “Saka is flat out a liability now.”

While another added: “Saka coming off after a terrible outing. There must be more to it. He’s sick. Carrying an injury. Something. Because that was a disasterclass from the captain to be removed on 60 minutes.”

And one fan said: “He’s been very, very poor all season. I would bench him and bring him on as a sub for the next half dozen games.”

Saka must improve ASAP after Arsenal made him their best-paid player

Football Insider revealed in November that Saka was in advanced talks with the Gunners over a new contract, which he officially signed last month.

The 24-year-old became Arsenal’s new highest earner, on a reported £300,000-a-week, after putting pen to paper on a new five-year extension.

He has mostly had a season to forget from a personal standpoint, however, with just nine goals in 39 appearances across all competitions, while he has now failed to score in his last four Champions League outings.

Saka needs to prove his worth to Arsenal with more standout performances in big moments, rather than go missing in games where they need him to step up.

There are set to be plenty of opportunities to do so in the next two-and-a-half months, with Arteta’s side still in the running for four different trophies.

The post Arsenal fans fume at Bukayo Saka after ‘disasterclass’ vs Bayer Leverkusen: ‘Flat out liability’ appeared first on Football Insider.