Have Arsenal just made a major 75million mistake?

"While goals and assists aren't everything, they're pretty important currency for the star attacker of a top club, and those numbers only seem to be going in the wrong direction for Saka. Bukayo Saka's G/A numbers continue to decline. See below as a quite clear pattern has emerged showing that Saka peaked with his output two years ago, with injuries clearly seeming to take a toll since then."

"So far in 2025/26, Saka is on nine goals and five assists in 39 games in all competitions – a distinctly average return, and perhaps more concerning as the season goes on, with the 24-year-old on just two goals and two assists in 2026 so far. The presence of Saka means Madueke has had limited minutes, but he's still managed seven goals and one assist in 29 appearances."

"According to the Guardian, Saka is now on a contract until 2031, with Arsenal set to pay him 15m a year until that time, amounting to roughly a 75m investment. If Arsenal had agreed that kind of deal a year or two ago, no one would bat an eyelid, but at the moment it looks like the club may have walked into a major mistake."

Bukayo Saka has underperformed expectations this season, prompting questions about Arsenal's recent contract extension worth £15 million annually through 2031. The England winger's goal and assist numbers have declined consistently over recent seasons, with injuries appearing to impact his performance. In the 2025/26 season, Saka has recorded nine goals and five assists across 39 appearances, with only two goals and two assists in 2026 so far. Meanwhile, backup winger Noni Madueke has impressed when given opportunities, scoring seven goals in 29 appearances despite limited playing time. Arsenal's substantial investment in Saka now appears questionable given his current output and fitness concerns, particularly as the club may have overcommitted financially to a player whose form has deteriorated.

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