Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is one of the best young players in the world and has been superb for the Gunners so far this season, but he was quite underwhelming for England against Ukraine.
And the English media did not hold back while analysing his performance.
England star Bukayo Saka doing well for Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has made four appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal so far this season.
The 22-year-old winger has scored two goals and given one assist in those games.
Saka has been one of the best players for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and the expectation was that he would carry that form into the international break.
However, the youngster, who is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Arsenal and England, did not have the best of times against Ukraine.
Saka started for England against Ukraine in European Championship Qualifying Group C on Saturday.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The £200,000-a-week winger (The Telegraph) started on the right of a front-three in a 4-3-3 formation.
During his time on the pitch, Saka took three shots, played one key pass, had a pass accuracy of 89.3%, took 47 touches, made one interception, and put in one cross.
Media review of Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka
It was an underwhelming performance from Saka, and the media in England has not held back in their analysis of the Arsenal star.
The Sun gave Saka 6 out of 10 and wrote: “Fresh from picking up another England player of the year award, Saka was not great in the first half but improved considerably in the second half.
“Also, unlucky to see a terrific shot tipped onto the bar by keeper Buschan.”
Sky Sports also gave the Arsenal winger 6 out of 10 and noted: “England Men’s Player of the Year started brightly – having the first shot of the game blocked in the 13th minute – but a heavy challenge from Everton’s Vitalii Mykolenko saw his influence diminished.
“That was until the 60th minute when he rifled an effort onto the crossbar.
“Saka livened up slightly after, but was replaced in the 86th minute with the Mykolenko challenge looking to have rattled him.”
The Guardian rated Saka 6 out of 10 too and observed: “Livelier after the break, cracking the bar and flickering during a spell around the hour when England briefly looked ready to turn the screw.”
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