Saka endured a 15-game goal drought spanning 11 weeks, while he has only scored twice in the league since December, only missing two games in that period.
Saka spoke about his lack of productivity in the build-up to the final against City. “This season I’d have liked to have been a bit more consistent, at my highest level,” he told former Arsenal forward Paul Merson.
“It can happen sometimes but I’m just happy that as a team we’re doing well together, we’re fighting on all fronts, that’s what it’s about. I want people to know that every time I’m on the pitch I’m going to leave everything out there and do everything I can to help my team win.”
But Saka’s performance in the defeat by City at Wembley, which ended the Gunners’ hopes of achieving the quadruple, was a great source of frustration for Arsenal fans.
The only chances he had amounted to his two shots at James Trafford in a flash at the start of the game while he attempted just one dribble and could not complete it. He was also dribbled past five times, meaning the sacrifice he made to his attacking game to boost Arsenal defensively was all for nothing.
“Saka, he didn’t have a good game,” said Ray Parlour on Talksport. “He’s out of form, maybe lost a bit of confidence, I don’t know, belief? It’s not ideal this year, going into the World Cup as well, if you’re an England fan.”
