Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg was overheard telling Bukayo Saka to make more runs in behind last night by Football London.
Arsenal could only muster up a 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague yesterday and it’s fair to say that their attacking play looked stifled.
Arsenal did create some presentable chances, but they were often down to Slavia errors, rather than their own incisive play.
And it seems that Mikel Arteta and the Gunners’ coaching staff were frustrated early on.
After just 20 minutes, Stuivenberg was heard shouting at Saka to be more direct with his runs in an attempt to get in behind the Slavia defence more often.
Saka actually was Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat during his time on the pitch, but even he wasn’t at his best last night.
The youngster has been so consistent for the Gunners this term, however his crossing wasn’t particularly accurate yesterday and he also missed a gilt-edged chance.
Arsenal’s progression to the next round now looks far from certain, and they will surely have to deliver a better performance in the second leg to be sure of making the semi-finals.
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