Arsenal Star Told He is not Worth His £300,000-per-week Contract

According to a report by London Evening Standard on Sunday October 11, 2026, Arsenal legend David O’Leary has questioned whether Bukayo Saka currently deserves his £300,000-per-week contract following his recent performances.

The former Gunners defender believes the England international has lost some of his attacking confidence and must improve to justify his status as one of the Premier League’s highest-paid players.

According to reports, Saka signed a lucrative new contract with Arsenal in February. The winger earns more than £15 million annually and is reportedly the highest-paid player at the Emirates Stadium.

However, O’Leary believes the 24-year-old has not consistently demonstrated the level expected of someone receiving such significant wages. The former Arsenal record appearance holder won two league titles during his 18-year spell at Highbury between 1975 and 1993.

Saka started the current campaign positively by scoring against Coventry and Aston Villa. He has since managed only one goal in his next five appearances across all competitions.

The winger has scored three goals in eight matches this season. He also failed to register a goal contribution in his last two Premier League outings.

During Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Leeds United on Saturday, Saka completed the entire match without contributing to either goal. He managed two shots and attempted just one dribble before missing a late opportunity to extend the Gunners’ advantage.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Sunday Edition, O’Leary praised Saka’s quality but expressed concerns about his recent approach. He believes the winger goes to ground too easily instead of remaining aggressive when challenged by opposition defenders.

O’Leary also suggested that Saka previously displayed greater determination when facing physical opponents. He insisted that the forward remains a top player but must rediscover his previous level.

The former defender further highlighted Declan Rice’s impressive performance against Leeds. He argued that Saka needs to raise his standards to make Arsenal a stronger team.

O’Leary believes the winger must embrace the physical challenges that accompany his reputation. He hopes Saka will regain his confidence, become more assertive and deliver performances that justify his substantial contract.

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