Chris Sutton feels Bukayo Saka did not impact the Carabao Cup enough against Liverpool as Arsenal did not feed him the ball enough, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (20/01, 20:21).
The Gunners exited the EFL Cup at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night after losing the second leg 2-0. Diogo Jota scored in either half to seal the Reds’ path to Wembley and date with Chelsea on February 27.
Jota has now scored seven goals in 10 career meetings with Arsenal, including six in six for Liverpool. He has also scored four over three Premier League games for the Merseysiders.
Gabriel Martinelli appeared the most likely Arsenal player to cause Liverpool issues in their Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg tie. The Gunners frequently fed the Brazilian the ball in the hope he could beat the Reds backline.
Mikel Arteta’s side also gained some momentum early in the second-half as they sought an equaliser through Martinelli. He was the heart and soul of the Emirates natives’ efforts, but he could not drag the Gunners back level.
Sutton questions Arsenal use of Saka in Carabao Cup defeat
While Martinelli was dangerous against Liverpool on the left, Saka struggled to get into the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg for Arsenal on the right. The England winger is often the Gunners’ talisman this term, but was quiet for most.
Arsenal really struggled to give Saka the ball once Jota had doubled Liverpool’s advantage, as well. Yet Sutton had already noted their issues feeding the forward while one behind.
“We haven’t seen enough of Bukayo Saka. Arsenal haven’t fed him the ball,” Sutton said.
By full-time in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg defeat to Liverpool, Martinelli touched the ball 53 times to Saka’s 38. Yet the Gunners’ £30k-a-week academy graduate also only made seven touches following Jota’s second to Martinelli’s four, per WhoScored.
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