World Cup 2026: Saka No Longer Makes an Impact for England – Petit

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has criticized England star Bukayo Saka, saying the winger no longer deserves a start for the Three Lions at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Petit pointed to Saka’s disappointing finish to the season, including his performance in the Champions League final, as the main reason he believes the player does not currently justify a place in England’s starting XI.

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“Saka, for me, is not coming out of a good season with Arsenal. We saw that in the Champions League final. He doesn’t make an impact anymore, and I think that there are other players who deserve to be picked in the starting lineup,” Petit told talkSPORT.

“I’m a huge, huge fan of Saka, but I’ve got to be honest. If I’m his teammate, I don’t understand it. There are so many strong and talented players who are better than Saka.”

Saka has long been one of Arsenal’s most vital and consistent players, amassing more than 60 goals and 50 assists in over 220 Premier League appearances.

Renowned for his technical skill, durability, and creativity on the right wing, he frequently leads the club in both goals and goal involvements each season.

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In his last four games across all competitions, Saka scored one goal and recorded no assists, including a 28‑minute appearance for England against Costa Rica in a World Cup warm‑up.

Conversely, in the four matches played in May, the Arsenal winger netted twice and provided two assists, including the decisive goal in the second leg of the Champions League semi‑final against Atlético Madrid.