Why Sterling is such a downgrade on Saka

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 Oct 2024 20:21 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal badly missed Bukayo Saka during their 2-0 Premier League loss at Bournemouth, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

The Gunners were forced to start with Raheem Sterling out wide as opposed to Saka, with the on-loan Chelsea man struggling to make an impact down the right.

Redknapp says that Saka’s absence, which was caused by an apparent hamstring issue picked up playing for England in their defeat to Greece, would have given Bournemouth a pre-match boost, particularly with Martin Odegaard missing.

READ MORE: Arsenal’s next Saliba? The ‘DREAM’ 20-year-old destined for stardom

Compared

Bukayo Saka

F, M (R)

Arsenal

Bukayo Saka

F, M (R)

Arsenal

VS

Raheem Sterling

F, M (L), AM (R)

Arsenal

Raheem Sterling

F, M (L), AM (R)

Arsenal

2024/2025

Season Statistics

2024/2025

13	Appearances	5
1012	Minutes Played	184
3	Goals	1
7	Assists	1
36	Key Passes	3

“They missed Saka because as soon as the ball goes out to him, something can happy. Raheem Sterling is obviously a right footed player on the right side. He’s not got that same flow,” Redknapp said.

“I really like Odegaard. He gives Arsenal a sense of control.”

“Straight away, you look at the teamsheet and think you can get after that Arsenal side because two of their biggest players aren’t playing. That midfield was functional, there was no one to bring that bit of guile. Even when it went to 10 men, I didn’t feel like they had the ingredients to unlock this Bournemouth side.”

Sterling, who was taken off after 37 minutes to compensate for Saliba's absence, had five touches in the box, he completed just one dribble, made only 60% of his passes and delivered just seven in the final third.

Redknapp even went as far to say that Arsenal were in trouble long before the controversial sending off of William Saliba for a last-man foul.

“They were sloppy, leggy, passive. After about 20 minutes, I felt like I hadn’t seen Arsenal give the ball away so much in a long time,” he added.

Saka back for Liverpool

Saliba will miss Arsenal’s forthcoming clash with Liverpool next Sunday, but on the other hand Saka should be back for that encounter.

Indeed, it came as something of a surprise the winger missed out against Bournemouth.

"It is not a serious injury. He is evolving really well. He has done a few things in the last two days. We are hopeful," Arteta said on Friday.