![\"\"](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-18-175456-76ba.png?w=646\")
\t<\/div>Darren Bent lamented Bukayo Saka\u2019s performance against Bayer Leverkusen, suggesting the Arsenal winger looked \u2018greedy\u2019 and a \u2018bit desperate\u2019.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta\u2019s side punched their ticket to the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday as goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice helped them secure a 3-1 aggregate victory.<\/p>\n
The Gunners now face Sporting Lisbon for a place in the semi-finals as they bid to acheive a famous quadruple.<\/p>\n
But while it was a positive night on many fronts, former Premier League striker Bent was left scratching his head at the performance of Saka.<\/p>\n
Arsenal\u2019s right winger has 16 goal involvements in all competitions, but has not been at his blistering best when compared to seasons gone by.<\/p>\n
And Bent believes that Saka\u2019s display against Leverkusen on Wednesday proved that the 24-year-old might just be a tad overeager at the minute when he gets into goalscoring positions.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s not so much poor, but it\u2019s just a little bit greedy and he\u2019s bordering on a little bit desperate in terms of some of the shots he shoots when he shouldn\u2019t,\u2019 Bent told talkSPORT when asked about Saka\u2019s display.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tYour football fix\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
Metro<\/strong>‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n Sign up here, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2018He should pass it a couple of times. But listen, last night was a little bit difficult for him because they were doubling up on him defensively.\u2019<\/p>\n Bent, though, was blown away by the performance of Eze, who repaid Arteta\u2019s recent faith in him with a thunderous strike to break the deadlock.<\/p>\n \u2018Eze, this is one of those examples where I\u2019ve said to you before on a number of occasions, footballers need rhythm,\u2019 Bent said. <\/p>\n \u2018And regardless of how he\u2019s playing Eze, just keep planning. <\/p>\n \u2018Keep giving them the minutes and eventually things like this will happen because he\u2019s a special talent. And that goal there was, oh my goodness.\u2019<\/p>\n Asked about Eze\u2019s performance post-match, a delighted Arteta said: \u2018He is playing I think every three days now, he has a rhythm, an understanding with his teammates as well, what we want, and especially his level of activity, with and without the ball \u2013 in the spaces that he moves and the purpose that he\u2019s showing every time he\u2019s in and around the box as well. <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a reason why he\u2019s here \u2013 to create those kind of moments.<\/p>\n \u2018Comparing the minutes he\u2019s playing now with his career, he\u2019s playing much more now than in any other season, so that tells you as well the consistency he\u2019s showing, he\u2019s always fit. <\/p>\n \u2018Today he had to come off \u2013 he has a lot of minutes in him, but he\u2019s handling the pressure of the situation and the expectation very well.\u2019<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on ![\"Arsenal](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2267241964.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594\")
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