Redknapp urges Saka positional shuffle as Arsenal's Wembley woe deepens title race concerns

Jamie Redknapp believes Bukayo Saka needs a change of scenery—quite literally—after the Arsenal skipper failed to make an impact in the Carabao Cup final loss at Wembley.

The Gunners' six-year wait for silverware continues following their defeat to Manchester City, with Nico O'Reilly's quick-fire double handing Pep Guardiola another League Cup triumph. For Saka, it was yet another forgettable afternoon in what has become a troubling run of form.

With just two goals since early December, the 24-year-old England winger is struggling to produce the decisive moments Arsenal desperately need. Redknapp reckons a positional tweak could be the remedy.

"This is where you need your star players to step up," Redknapp said on Sky Sports. "The player that I feel right now that isn't performing to the level that he can is Bukayo Saka. I want to see more from him. He's been a difference-maker for Arsenal for so long, so many times."

The pundit highlighted Saka's recent inability to influence proceedings, regardless of opposition. "Of late I haven't seen that sort of guile and imagination and skill and goals that we need to see from him. And he's got Max Dowman breathing down his neck, Noni Madueke can play down that right-hand side as well," Redknapp explained.

"I think maybe even playing down the left, sometimes, Saka. It feels like he's not getting success against anyone he plays against. I'm a big fan and I love the way he plays but he's the man who has to start taking the game by the scruff of the neck and playing with no fear if Arsenal are going to win this title."

Beyond individual performances, Redknapp sees the Wembley defeat as a potential turning point in the title race itself. "When Liverpool lost here against Newcastle last year, there was 12 points in it," he reflected. "That's a massive buffer and the other teams didn't have a game in hand. For Arsenal, the doubts, the negativity, this changes the whole complexion of the title race. I'm not saying it puts Man City completely back in it, but it gives them a massive opportunity when they play in April."

Arsenal legend Ian Wright, meanwhile, took issue with Mikel Arteta's team selection for the showpiece. Speaking at the interval, Wright suggested Gabriel Martinelli should have started ahead of Leandro Trossard, who was eventually withdrawn for the Brazilian.

"From an Arsenal point of view I would have Gabriel Martinelli in there," Wright said on Sky Sports. "Martinelli would always make my team, especially on a day like this at Wembley. Arsenal need to get out and we're not holding the ball up well enough or long enough. So Arsenal need someone to run us out of problems and cause some problems ourselves."

The former striker also cast a critical eye over the midfield display, particularly Martin Zubimendi's contribution. With City dominant in the middle third, Arsenal's inability to control proceedings proved costly.

"I wanted us to put in the type of performance where if they are beaten, they played well and tried to do what they do," Wright added. "They pressed us high, we knocked it long and couldn't hold it. We didn't have any midfielders… I think Zubimendi's numbers will be interesting to see, I don't think he held onto the ball, he couldn't get on it to get our team playing. We couldn't get out. In the end, it all just fell in on ourselves. It is a very disappointing one for me. It was a really poor performance in the end. We know the quality he's got, even he couldn't get going today."