Bukayo Saka is being held back by Arsenal teammate – expert
Ben White is partly to blame for Bukayo Saka’s slow start to the season at Arsenal, according to Kevin Campbell.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Arsenal and Everton striker also claimed Granit Xhaka’s style is the reason why most of Arsenal’s play has come down the left-hand side this term.
Saka provided his first assist of the season in the 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday (27 August).
In contrast, Martinelli on the left-hand side has two goals and Xhaka has three goal contributions.
“In the Crystal Palace game we saw Bukayo Saka get down the right-hand side and whip the ball in and it got turned in by Marc Guehi,” Campbell told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I just think that things are happening on the left-hand side solely because of Granit Xhaka and Zinchenko.
“Sometimes one releases the other. You don’t have that on the other side with the way that Martin Odegaard plays.
“We know what Saka can do but Ben White has been deputising as a full-back and has done a really good job but he’s not an offensive full-back, he’ll be one that sits there.
“Listen, we can’t wish for everything because we can’t get everything.
“There will be times where Saka is one on one and is going to do his thing.
“I think the left-hand side is benefitting but we’ve seen the right-hand side dominating in the past few seasons. Let’s let the left-hand side get some flowers now, I don’t mind that.”
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