Arsenal legend questions Saka's worth as club's highest-paid player
Arsenal legend David O’Leary has questioned whether Bukayo Saka deserves to be the club’s highest‑paid player, saying the England winger is not in the form he showed when he signed his new contract in February. Speaking after Arsenal’s 2‑1 Premier League win over Leeds United at the weekend, O’Leary told talkSPORT that Saka is still a top player but is not the player who earned the lucrative deal that made him one of the country’s best‑paid footballers. Saka’s contract, which pays him a reported weekly wage that tops Arsenal’s payroll, was signed earlier this year and has made him the club’s highest earner.
The debate matters because it touches on how clubs reward performance versus reputation, and it could influence future contract negotiations for Arsenal’s rising stars. Fans and analysts are now weighing whether Saka’s recent output justifies his premium salary or whether the club should adjust its wage structure based on current form.
Will you view Saka’s current performances as enough to merit his top‑tier wage, or do you think Arsenal should tie future pay more closely to on‑field contributions?