Both Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze went off injured this weekend against Newcastle to put a small dampener on things.
The Gunners went back to the top of the table but Havertz’s injury, coupled with Eze limping off as well, threatened to put a black mark against things.
Havertz’s injury is apparently not as bad as first thought, while Eze himself admitted he should be fine.
However, despite the double injury blow, Alan Shearer believes that the return of Bukayo Saka is just as important as anything for Arsenal right now.
Is Bukayo Saka’s return from injury going to be the difference between winning and losing the Premier League title?
Alan Shearer believes Bukayo Saka is just what Arsenal have been missing
Saka made his return from injury off the bench and had an impact as well as he ignited the crowd and immediately went on the offensive.
Indeed, according to Alan Shearer, Saka’s return could be massive for the Gunners.
“Well, the good news is also Saka’s back,” Shearer commented on the Rest Is Football.
“I know Eze maybe went off injured and Havertz went off injured, but the good news for them is that Saka’s back and hopefully he can get some sort of form and get up to speed straight away from their point of view and start creating again, because that’s one of the big things that they’re missing, is creativity, is that there’s hardly creating anything.”
Arsenal’s record without Bukayo Saka
There is a massive drop off for Arsenal when Saka does not play.
Looking at the last few weeks when he has been missing, Arsenal’s points per game has dropped from 2.4 to 1.5 without their tricky winger.
Furthermore, in the three recent defeats Arsenal have suffered to Liverpool, Man City and Bournemouth, the Gunners only mustered up an average of 0.66 goals per game. This is a severe drop off to when Saka plays, where the average is around 2 goals per game.
Interestingly as well, Arsenal also have a higher win rate with Saka at 64%, compared to the 50% when he doesn’t play.
Put simply, Saka is crucial for Arsenal and it’s now imperative he stays fit.
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