Carlton Cole believes Bukayo Saka has become a ‘passenger’ in Arsenal’s side this season and gets too much ‘grace’ from manager Mikel Arteta.

Saka enjoyed a fast start to the season, scoring three goals in his first matches in all competitions.

Despite that, the 25-year-old has seen his form come under question, with Arteta even recently suggesting that the forward should be aiming to score ‘two or three’ goals per game such is his quality.

Saka played the full ninety last weekend but failed to get on the scoresheet as Noni Madueke’s strike helped the Gunners secure a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Reflecting on his latest display, former Chelsea striker Cole claimed that Saka is getting too much leniency from his boss and should have his spot in the starting lineup questioned in the coming weeks.

‘We have to look at Saka, I’m not sure man, he’s not doing it,’ Cole said on The Dressing Room Podcast.

‘I think he’s a little bit of a passenger at the minute and I hope that he does come good but he’s not quite there right now.

‘I want him to do well and prove the haters wrong but his position is being questioned right now.’

Cole continued: ‘You have Max Dowman and as they, if you’re good enough you are old enough. He’s probably looking at people on the bench, thinking ‘How am I not getting on and playing’ because he can glide past players.

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‘That No10 role is even his position as well, so he comes on the right but I think he’s better in the middle.

‘But Saka gets grace all the time and I think it’s unfair on the other players because every other player gets called off by the gaffer.’

Elsewhere, Cole challenged Eberechi Eze to up his levels after a quiet performance on the left wing saw him replaced by Madueke at half-time against Forest.

‘Eze, it’s just not working out for him,’ Cole added.

‘I love watching him play when he’s given the freedom to do what he wants to do. But when you look at his goals, they are never really from the wings; they are down the centre of the pitch.

‘I know he’s got to drift in from the left but finding that balance [is tricky]. When Noni came on, he started getting the ball and started dribbling because he’s really the only one who can beat a man down the outside so that is where Noni trumps him in that position.

‘But that’s not really his position – Odegaard’s position is his position. So that is his conundrum that he has got to figure out quite quickly but I’ve got faith in him.

‘He’ll get the hang of it, but if you’re going to be in a Championship winning team these are the types of challenges you have to overcome to be a top, top player.’