‘Too quiet’: Vieira singles out Saka for criticism after Arsenal loss to Man United | OneFootball

Arsenal suffered their first home loss of the season, falling 3-2 to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Gunners have now failed to win any of their last three league games, but are four points clear of closest challengers Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira singled out Bukayo Saka for criticism for his role in the defeat.

He told Sky Sports: “Arsenal need to go back to the basics. They need to play with freedom and express the basics to go forward.

“Some of the players need to perform their best because some of them didn’t perform today. Saka was too quiet. In big games, you expect him to take the team and perform, but he didn’t.”

Despite Vieira’s criticism, Saka was one of Arsenal’s better players in the game.

He completed three out of five dribbles, the most of any Arsenal player in both metrics. Only Declan Rice registered more key passes (four) than him.

However, the England international still has room for improvement against the league’s biggest sides if he is to reach the very top level.

Across 65 games against the Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’, Saka has registered 29 goal involvements.

He has just one against them this term – an assist in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

Stats from transfermarkt.com & sofascore.com.