Bukayo Saka came under scrutiny after Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton, with the winger’s missed big chance highlighting his lack of decisive impact in an otherwise active attacking display.
Arsenal enjoyed 60% possession and completed 495 passes, but Brighton created the more threatening opportunities. The hosts registered 17 shots to Arsenal’s nine, including five on target compared with two for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal produced 1.47 expected goals but failed to score for the first time in the Premier League this season.
Saka’s missed chance proved costly in Arsenal’s defeat
Saka was involved in several of Arsenal’s better attacking passages and created three chances. He also won five duels, underlining his willingness to compete throughout the match.
However, he was unable to convert the opportunity that mattered most. Arsenal were still within reach of Brighton when Saka missed a big chance, before Charalampos Kostoulas scored the Seagulls’ second goal.
The sequence left Arsenal facing a two-goal deficit instead of pursuing an equaliser. Saka did not score or provide an assist and was replaced by 16-year-old Max Dowman in the 81st minute.
That decision was notable because Saka is usually retained when Arsenal are chasing a game. His three key passes offered evidence of his creative contribution, but the team needed a greater direct threat in front of goal.
Brighton created four big chances to Arsenal’s two, while the Gunners managed only nine attempts overall. Those figures increased the significance of Saka’s missed opportunity.
Arsenal need greater attacking influence from Saka
The performance was not without positive elements. Saka was among Arsenal’s more creative players and competed well physically, but his involvement did not translate into enough danger in the final third.
He had entered the match with three Premier League goals in 418 minutes this season and an average FotMob rating of 7.94. Against Brighton, however, he was active without showing the same ruthlessness.
Brighton were comfortable directing Arsenal’s attacks towards the wide areas, leaving Saka too often receiving the ball away from goal. Arsenal will need him to attack central positions more aggressively, make diagonal runs and arrive in shooting areas.
Saka was not Arsenal’s worst performer, but the 3-0 defeat showed the difference between creating openings and deciding a match. For one of the side’s principal attacking players, his failure to turn involvement into influence was costly.
