Former Arsenal player Anders Limpar has called for patience with Bukayo Saka after his recent hamstring surgery, asking everyone to give the winger a break.
Bukayo Saka certainly didn’t have his best game against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, with Mikel Arteta withdrawing him for Noni Madueke before the hour mark as Arsenal trailed 1-0.
Yet Saka remains one of Arsenal’s key players, and former Gunner Anders Limpar argues that it’s only natural the 24-year-old will take some time to get back to his very best after his hamstring surgery.
“Saka has been one of the best players in the world for the past three or four years but then he gets a bad hamstring injury, has an operation,” Limpar pointed out.
“I know when you’re a quick player and your hamstring goes you get scared to sprint with full power and it’s not a good feeling. He’s not been good this year but he’s not been bad. Give him a break.
“It’s one thing to pull or tear your hamstring but to have an operation when you’re a quick player must play on you mentally. He’s one of the best players in the world so give him a break.
“The worst feeling you can have when you’re a fast player is that fear in the back of your head that the hamstring might go again. Even if you’re fit the mental fear can hold players back. He will progress in March, April and May.”
Even in a down year for the winger, Saka has nine goals and seven assists already this season, and plenty of time to add to that over the next couple of months.
In the last month alone, Saka’s goal against Wolves ultimately earned Arsenal a point and his goal against Brighton turned one into three. He’s hardly coasting.
Wednesday’s match was a low point, but it was only the first hour of the first leg.
Arsenal and Saka have the chance to respond back at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday, and they have the opportunity to go 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a win over Everton on Saturday (albeit having played two games more than Manchester City).
Gunners fans will hope Limpar is right, and that Saka’s form only improves in the final three months of the season.