How Bukayo Saka Can Improve His Game to Reach the Next Level, According to Mohamed Salah

Bukayo Saka has scored 13 Premier League goals for Arsenal over the past two seasons, and former England winger Chris Waddle believes that the Gunners player can improve his game to reach the next level. Waddle has cited Egyptian legend Mohamed Salah as a role model for Saka.

Saka recorded seven goals in the Premier League during the 2025-26 season, which saw Arsenal end their 22-year trophy drought. However, the Hale End graduate had only scored six goals in the previous season, his best performance in his career with 16 goals in the 2023-24 campaign.

When asked by GOAL whether Saka needs to work on certain aspects of his game, Waddle replied, 'Yes, it's clear from how often he gets the ball and the ability that has. We know he loves cutting inside with his left foot. I've been a bit critical over the past few years, saying he needs to work on his right foot, moving outwards, and not being afraid to whip in crosses. But when you have skills and a way of beating a defender, the movement he prefers is to cut inside.'

'However, football is different now - when I played, it was as if you didn't care who you were against, you just had to attack them. You couldn't just sit back and hold on, there was space, there was freedom. Playing for Arsenal, which is a top team, many teams are going to park the bus, not give Saka space to cut inside, so he's eventually got to find a way to operate.'

'He needs to find a way to get inside the box from the left side. Rather than [Viktor] Gyokeres or [Kai] Havertz, if he was playing, he needs to be the left-sided forward, cutting inside, and scoring more goals.'

'If you're looking for someone to follow, perhaps someone like Mo Salah. But he scores goals. He's very bold, taking risks. Alright, he may not work as hard when defending, but when Liverpool got the ball, he was always in that area, looking for chances to pick out a long pass to the striker. Or he'd just cut inside and shoot. So perhaps he could take that from that. But the way Arsenal play is a bit different from Liverpool.'

Saka is expected to be deployed on the right wing in England's starting line-up for the World Cup, with Noni Madueke serving as his backup. However, Jarrod Bowen, the West Ham captain, is another option for Tuchel and has impressed with 38 goals in the top-flight over the past three seasons. When questioned about Madueke's selection over the West Ham forward, Waddle added, 'Jarrod Bowen scores goals. He's proved it over the past two or three seasons at West Ham.'

'I know West Ham had a disappointing season, relegated, which they may not have expected. But Jarrod Bowen has always been a consistent player on the right side. He's a bit like Mo Salah in the way he plays - scoring goals.'

'I think Jarrod Bowen would be a good option to call up. If Saka isn't playing well, he can come in, and we know Jarrod Bowen scores goals. It's a shame he didn't get a spot, at least as a substitute.'

As England prepares for their World Cup campaign, Thomas Tuchel is evaluating his options, including Saka, who will be expected to wear the armband at some point during the tournament. With the responsibility of supplying key passes for Harry Kane, Saka has shown his quality with 14 goals from 49 senior appearances.