‘Not a great night’ – English media tear into Bukayo Saka after Czech Republic display

English media have taken aim at Bukayo Saka following another underwhelming performance for England, with the Arsenal winger receiving low ratings after the Three Lions’ clash with the Czech Republic.

Saka started England’s second consecutive match under Thomas Tuchel after playing 83 minutes in the defeat to World Cup champions Spain. However, the Arsenal star lasted only 71 minutes against Czechia before being replaced by Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha.

Ngumoha brought greater pace and directness to England’s attack after his introduction, highlighting the lack of impact Saka had managed to make during his time on the pitch.

The Arsenal winger also struggled to establish a productive relationship with Trent Alexander-Arnold on England’s right flank. Their attacking movements lacked fluidity, with the pair unable to consistently combine to create openings against a Czech side that struggled to contain England for long periods.

Saka comes under fire from leading outlets

Saka’s display drew particularly harsh reviews from sections of the English media despite England controlling much of the game.

The Standard awarded him a 5/10 rating and concluded that he “didn’t have one of his better games in an England shirt”.

BBC Sport was only slightly more generous, giving Saka 6/10 and noting there was “not much of note” from the Arsenal forward.

The Telegraph also delivered a damning assessment, describing it as “not a great night for Saka”. The publication criticised the winger for “wasting some promising positions due to poor delivery or turning backwards.”

The Sun focused on Saka’s lack of chemistry with Alexander-Arnold, contrasting their performance on the right with the more effective partnership between Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall on the opposite flank.

The criticism comes despite Saka entering the international break having made a reasonable start to the season at club level.

Mixed Arsenal form adds to scrutiny

Saka has scored three goals in seven appearances for Arsenal this season, but his performances have not always matched the expectations placed on one of the club’s most important attacking players.

Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League, yet Saka has occasionally found himself isolated during matches and unable to exert his usual influence from the right side.

That inconsistency has now carried into his latest England appearances, with his performances against Spain and Czechia prompting questions over whether he should retain his starting place for the Three Lions’ next fixture.

England legend joins criticism

An England legend also questioned Saka’s contribution against Czechia, pointing specifically to an opportunity the Arsenal forward failed to convert.

“I thought Saka was poor again didn’t you?

“Should have scored as well in the first half. He had a sitter, didn’t he, one of them? Was it when England hit the post, something like that?”

The criticism could increase pressure on Tuchel to make changes for England’s final Nations League clash against Croatia.

Saka has started both of England’s opening matches, but with Ngumoha offering greater pace and attacking spark from the bench, the Arsenal winger could be left out of the starting XI when England face Croatia.