O'Leary says Saka 'goes down too much' and 'isn't the player he was'

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David O'Leary has delivered a blunt assessment of Bukayo Saka's recent form, suggesting the Arsenal winger has lost some of the fearless edge that made him one of the Premier League's most feared attackers.

Arsenal have won five of their opening six Premier League matches this season as they look to defend their title, but there have been uneasy signs in the last two outings. Brighton thrashed Arsenal 3-0 before the international break, and the Gunners then went behind at home to Leeds United on Saturday before goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes secured a 2-1 win.

Saka has scored three goals in eight appearances this season but has yet to register an assist, a quieter return following the bumper new contract he signed at the Emirates Stadium in February. That deal reportedly makes him Arsenal's highest-paid player, earning more than £15m a year.

O'Leary's verdict

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Arsenal defender and manager said he does not believe Saka is currently playing to the level that new deal demands.

'I honestly don't think he is [in top form]. I really like the guy,' O'Leary said. 'But I do think one thing, seeing him grow up and get into the team before everyone knew how good he was, I think he goes down too much now.'

'I think he's looking for that touch to go down and the player I saw before that was much more positive, he was not going to let the full-back put him on the deck, or anybody else. He's not the player that he was, without a doubt.'

O'Leary added that he still rates Saka highly but questioned whether his output matches his new status at the club. 'He's still a top player, but is he the player that got this fantastic new contract at Arsenal to make him one of the top-paid players in the country? I don't think so at the moment.'

'He has to step up again'

Asked what might explain the dip, O'Leary admitted he could not pinpoint a clear cause but pointed to the form of others around Saka, name-checking Declan Rice's display against Leeds as an example of the standard being set elsewhere in the squad.

'I don't know what's happened. But when I look at the team and how it's progressing, whose playing well and how great Declan Rice was yesterday, I think Saka has to step up again. If he does step up, Arsenal become a more powerful team.'

On the suggestion that Saka may be going to ground too easily to avoid physical contact, O'Leary agreed it looked that way. 'That's a good point. It looks to be that way, he sees that coming, he is a target as him on his day is a big threat. But at times he's waiting for things and he should be stronger than that and override that and know this is what comes with the territory because of the reputation I've gained. He's got to stand up and be counted.'

Arsenal will hope Saka can rediscover that sharper edge as the title defence continues through a congested autumn schedule.