Arsenal latest: Bukayo Saka gets damning new verdict as Wayne Rooney calls out comments

football.london takes a look at the latest news surrounding Arsenal as the Gunners prepare to face Wolves in the Premier League

Arsenal are at a crucial point in the season that could determine whether it is a success or not.

Mikel Arteta's men have the chance to increase their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points when they face Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday evening. Arteta has confirmed that four Arsenal players will be absent for the trip to the West Midlands, although full-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White will be fit to play against Wolves despite their respective concerns.

There was more good news from N5 on Tuesday as reports emerged that star player Bukayo Saka has agreed a new contract with the club. The 24-year-old winger has extended his deal until 2031, becoming the highest-paid player at the club on over £300,000 per week.

Now, with the Gunners still in contention in all four competitions past the midpoint of the season, football.london examines two of the biggest stories involving the north London club.

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Carragher aims dig at Bukayo Saka

Jamie Carragher has indirectly taken aim at Saka by saying Arsenal have no attacking superstars. The former Liverpool defender, unlike much of the media, believes the main obstacle preventing Arsenal from securing the league title lies in their offensive quality rather than their mentality.

The pundit has also hinted that talisman Saka hasn't reached the elite level of players like Mohamed Salah or Erling Haaland, who have led their sides to glory in the past. Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher said: "I made a comment about Arsenal about a month ago on the back of picking my Premier League team of the season so far. People talk about their mentality, I actually think Arsenal have a great mentality.

"But their problem could be a lack of quality in the final third. When I watch Arsenal, I don't think they’ve got an absolute superstar in the front four or five players. I thought Saka and Odegaard were going to get there a couple of years ago. I thought they were ready to almost become the best players in the Premier League. I still don't think Arsenal have got one of them.

"So people talk about mentality with Arsenal but what I think could stop them [in the title race] is actually quality. I think we would all agree that Arsenal are the best team this season but Man City have been there before, even if it’s not a vintage City."

Keown faces 'pressure' blame

Wayne Rooney has blamed Martin Keown and other ex-Arsenal players working in the media for increasing anxiety among the current squad. Arsenal's mental fortitude has come under scrutiny in recent seasons, with the club failing to get over the line and secure that elusive Premier League trophy three years in a row.

With the pressure building in this season’s title race, many are questioning whether they will once again fall short despite leading the table for the majority of the season. Manchester United icon Rooney believes Arteta's players are handling expectations admirably but thinks former players such as Keown are creating unhelpful distractions that might derail their title pursuit.

Urging Arteta to ignore the noise, Rooney said on The Overlap: "For me, what’s happening is the Arsenal fans and the ex-players coming out are actually killing them. They should stay silent and let everyone else talk.

"I heard Martin Keown on talkSPORT saying having a six-point lead is better than nine [after Manchester City’s comeback against Liverpool]. What are you talking about?!

"That’s an experienced [former] player who’s getting nervous. I actually think Mikel Arteta is handling it brilliantly with the way he’s speaking with the media. It’s other people connected to the club who are actually having more of an effect."

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