David O'Leary has raised questions about Bukayo Saka's current form, saying the Arsenal winger is not the player he was and asking whether he is justifying his new deal at the club.
The 68-year-old former Arsenal captain made the remarks on talkSPORT's Sunday Edition after Arsenal's 2-1 win over Leeds United on Saturday. His comments came only months after Saka signed a lucrative new Arsenal contract in February that is reportedly worth £300,000 a week.
O'Leary was clear that he still rates Saka as a top player, but he suggested the winger has been too easy to knock off balance and not as positive in one-v-one situations as he was earlier in his career. He said: "I honestly don't think he is [in top form]" and added that the player he saw coming through was "much more positive" and less likely to go to ground.
What O'Leary said about Saka
O'Leary's criticism focused on both performance and expectation. He said he likes Saka as a player, but also stated: "He's not the player that he was, without a doubt." He then pointed to the level of responsibility that comes with a major contract, asking whether Saka is currently the player who earned that deal.
"He's still a top player, but is he the player that got this fantastic new contract at Arsenal to make him one of the top-paid players in the country? I don't think so at the moment," O'Leary said. He also suggested that, in a team that is moving forward, Saka needs to raise his level again.
Why it matters for Arsenal
The timing of O'Leary's remarks is notable because Arsenal are preparing for a Champions League clash against Lille. That adds extra attention on Saka, who is one of the club's most important attacking players and now carries the expectations that come with a reported £300,000-a-week salary.
O'Leary also highlighted Declan Rice's form as part of his broader point about Arsenal's progress, saying Rice was excellent in the Leeds win. For Arsenal, the message is straightforward: the team is producing results, but some of its biggest names are still expected to step up further as the season builds toward bigger tests.
Saka has already shown he can be central to Arsenal's attack, but O'Leary's comments suggest there is now a sharper spotlight on consistency, directness and end product. Whether the winger responds against Lille or in the matches that follow, the scrutiny around him is unlikely to ease anytime soon.
