Bukayo Saka is set to be the next Arsenal captain.

Arsenal’s title hopes took a hit on Saturday with a narrow 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, and former pro Tony Cascarino thinks the Gunners might be misusing star player Bukayo Saka.

Despite the setback, Arsenal got a bit of luck when Manchester City, who are also title contenders, were defeated 2-1 by Bournemouth. However, Liverpool’s win over Brighton puts them seven points clear of Arsenal, leaving the Gunners trailing behind Liverpool, Man City, and even Nottingham Forest, who have surprised everyone with their strong start to the season.

In a recent appearance on talkSPORT’s Weekend Sports Breakfast, Cascarino voiced his concerns over Saka’s role as stand-in captain in Martin Odegaard’s absence. He believes the extra responsibility is affecting Saka’s game and limiting his potential. “Bukayo Saka’s a fantastic player,” Cascarino said. “I’m always praising him because of his determination, intelligence, and goal-scoring abilities. But I think he’s better off just focusing on his game without the captain’s pressure.”

Cascarino suggests Arsenal should consider other leaders on the team for the captaincy role, such as Declan Rice or Thomas Partey, allowing Saka to concentrate solely on his performance. “You’ve got Declan Rice there, or Thomas Partey. Let them handle the leadership, and let Saka play his natural game. Certain players just need the freedom to do what they do best,” Cascarino added.

With Saka now 23 and one of Arsenal’s key players, he has already contributed ten goals in nine Premier League matches this season. His impact has been significant under manager Mikel Arteta, and he’s a big reason Arsenal is in the title race.

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But Cascarino, who played over 600 matches in his career, thinks that an attacking player like Saka doesn’t need the extra duty of the captain’s armband. “When it comes to forwards, whether it’s a goal-scorer or a winger, let them just get on with it. Arsenal has plenty of strong leaders.”

Currently, Odegaard holds the official title of Arsenal’s captain, and although Arteta hasn’t named an official vice-captain, Jorginho has occasionally taken on the role when Odegaard is unavailable. But since Jorginho has only started one league game this season, the role of stand-in captain might continue to fall on Saka until Odegaard is back from injury.

There’s some optimism in Arsenal’s camp, as recent updates hint that Odegaard might return for their upcoming Champions League face-off against Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s scouting team is keeping an eye on new talent, with West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus reportedly on their radar. Kudus could be a valuable addition to the Gunners’ squad, particularly as there is uncertainty around Leandro Trossard’s future. Trossard, 29, had a summer loan move from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad turned down, but the club remains interested and could try again for him.

Arsenal has been watching Kudus since his days at Ajax, and his recent move to West Ham has only fueled Arsenal’s interest. The versatile Ghanaian can play as both an attacking midfielder and a winger, which appeals to the Gunners as they seek more options in wide areas. It’s rumored, however, that any transfer could cost Arsenal up to £90 million due to Kudus’s long-term contract with West Ham.

On another note, Mikel Arteta has praised Thomas Partey’s role in the team, calling him a “big player” for Arsenal.

With Partey’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, Arsenal is reportedly planning to discuss a new deal with the midfielder. At 31, Partey has attracted interest from Barcelona and Saudi clubs, who are ready to make a move if he becomes available for a free transfer.

Partey’s performance this season has highlighted his importance to Arsenal’s midfield, and the North London club will be eager to keep him as they aim to stay competitive in the Premier League race. Whether Partey chooses to stay and extend his contract will be an interesting storyline to follow for Arsenal fans in the coming months.