Saka's Form Slump Raises World Cup Alarm Bells as Arsenal Legends Call for Madueke Switch

Arsenal's domestic campaign took a dent on Sunday when they surrendered their Carabao Cup crown to Manchester City in a 2-0 defeat at Wembley, but the fallout has extended beyond the scoreline. Attention has turned to the form of England winger Bukayo Saka, whose recent performances have prompted calls from the club's former stalwarts for a spell on the bench.

Despite Arsenal's continued dominance in the Premier League—sitting nine points clear at the summit—and their ongoing involvement in both the Champions League and FA Cup, Saka has become an unlikely focal point for criticism. The England international has managed just two goals and one assist across his last 16 appearances in all competitions, a concerning drought for a player of his calibre.

Ray Parlour didn't hold back after the Wembley disappointment, suggesting Saka's performance fell short. "Too many people had off days," the former Arsenal midfielder told talkSPORT. "Saka, he didn't have a good game. He's out of form, maybe lost a bit of confidence, I don't know, belief?"

Ally McCoist has gone further, advocating for a tactical reshuffle. The former Rangers striker has harboured doubts about Saka's standing for several months, noting that Noni Madueke had emerged as a stronger proposition. "I think you've got to pick your strongest team," McCoist explained, before delivering his verdict: "I think you've got to" leave Saka out, suggesting a brief absence might prove beneficial for both player and club alike.

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit chimed in with similar sentiment, acknowledging his affection for the winger while conceding that his form has slipped noticeably. McCoist speculated the issue could simply be a confidence crisis rather than anything more fundamental, but nonetheless believed a temporary removal from the firing line was warranted.

The timing compounds the concern for England supporters. With the World Cup looming, Saka—likely to feature on the right flank for his country—carries extra significance. Parlour acknowledged the predicament: "It's not ideal this year, going into the World Cup as well, if you're an England fan."

McCoist suggested that benching Saka temporarily might actually serve him well. "I think, actually, it might benefit the team and him at the same time, if you get him out for a couple of games," he reasoned. "He's a fantastic player and will continue to be a great player but at this moment in time, I just think he might need to be taken out."