Arsenal star Bukayo Saka becomes first to do one thing in Premier League since 2018

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Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka became the first Premier League player since 2018 to hit one personal milestone against Sheffield United on Monday night.

Whilst he did not get on the scoresheet himself, Bukayo Saka was able to notch up yet another assist as Arsenal put Sheffield United to the sword.

The winger tore the Blades to shreds in the first half, with Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admitting as much. What is even more remarkable is that the 22-year-old was able to be such a devastating attacking force whilst feeling under the weather, as Mikel Arteta explained after the match that Saka was withdrawn at half-time due to being unwell.

In the opening few minutes of the match, Saka was able to rattle the Sheffield United crossbar. With 13 minutes on the clock, the England international once again drove into the hosts’ penalty area, and lashed a wicked ball across the six-yard box, which Jayden Bogle could only manage to turn into his own net.

In the 39th minute, Saka was able to pick up his 15th assist of the season, and his 10th in the Premier League alone, when he found Declan Rice with a cutback. It was in this moment that the Hale End academy graduate reached a hugely impressive personal landmark.

Bukayo Saka joins exclusive Premier League club as Arsenal thrash Sheffield United

As reported by Opta, with this assist for Rice, Saka became the first Premier League player since 2018 to reach 50 assists and at least 50 goals in the competition. He has now joined the likes of Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-min, Bruno Fernandes, Riyad Mahrez, and Kevin De Bruyne in this exclusive club.

There has been plenty of debate recently about whether Saka ought to be considered a world-class player or not. The numbers he has been putting up, though, despite his youthful age, suggest that he absolutely belongs in that most elite bracket.

Arteta will now be hoping that Saka can recover from his illness quickly, as the Gunners need him fit and firing on all cylinders. The north London club are currently locked in a title race that looks set to go down to the wire. If they are to be crowned champions this season, then Saka will have played a crucial role in that success. He will be needed to be at his best over the course of the run-in.