Pundit Micah Richards has issued a stark warning to Arsenal, stating their heavy dependence on star winger Bukayo Saka could prove costly in the intense Premier League title race.
The Saka Dependency Problem
Richards, the former Manchester City and England defender, believes the Gunners are "too reliant" on Saka for creative inspiration in the final third of the pitch. His comments follow Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, December 16, 2025, where Saka was instrumental in creating both goals.
Despite the win, which kept Arsenal two points clear of Manchester City at the summit, a concerning trend has emerged. Not a single Arsenal player has yet reached five league goals this season, with Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, and Leandro Trossard all stuck on four. Richards argues that other forwards, including Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, need to "do more" to share the offensive burden if the club is to end its title drought, which stretches back to 2004.
Madueke Presents a Potential Solution
One proposed remedy from Richards is for manager Mikel Arteta to find a way to integrate summer signing Noni Madueke into the starting lineup alongside Saka. Madueke, a £52 million acquisition from Chelsea, has largely played a backup role but impressed with a brace in last week's 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge.
"I feel Arsenal have a little bit of a conundrum because Noni Madueke is playing really well and Bukayo Saka is their best player," Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast. "You need them both on the pitch at the same time." He acknowledged the tactical difficulty, noting Madueke is far more effective on the right, Saka's preferred flank.
Keown Echoes the Sentiment
Arsenal legend Martin Keown also believes Madueke has staked a claim for more regular involvement. After the Brugge performance, Keown suggested the young winger "put down a marker" and questioned whether he should now command a permanent spot, potentially on the left side of the attack with Saka remaining on the right.
The core of Richards' argument is that opponents are now sitting deep in a low block against the league leaders, demanding greater imagination. "You can’t keep relying on Saka to dig something out, it needs to be shared around," he stressed.
The Title Challenge Continues
Arsenal's resilience faces another immediate test as they travel to face Everton this weekend. The Toffees proved stubborn opponents last season, holding the Gunners to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park and a 0-0 stalemate at the Emirates Stadium. How Arteta addresses his side's creative balance could be pivotal in navigating such tricky fixtures and maintaining their position as title favourites.
