Arsenal star did something no one else could in the Champions League group stage

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The Champions League group stages are now at an end, and Arsenal navigated through to the knockout stages with ease.

Big wins at home against PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens and Sevilla, as well as a victory in Sevilla, meant that Arsenal were already group winners before a 1-1 draw in Eindhoven on Tuesday.

Bukayo Saka sat that game out as Mikel Arteta rotated his side, but having started in every other game this season, there are fears that he picked up an injury whilst warming up as a substitute.

Nevertheless, Saka’s first Champions League campaign has been a resounding success at this stage, as he now leads the entire competition in a remarkable stat.

Bukayo Saka starred in the Champions League group stage

A stat has now been revealed from OPTA, which highlights that the 22-year-old has provided more goal contributions from open play than any other player in the competition following the conclusion of the group stage.

Saka provided seven goal contributions, with three goals and four assists in his five appearances, a total which is above anyone else in the competition this season.

The likes of Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski all rank below Saka in this regard, as he announced himself on Europe’s elite stage in the best way possible.

Does Saka find the Champions League easier than the Premier League?

Saka has been outstanding across all competitions this season, but in the Champions League he has enjoyed his football more, as the teams Arsenal faced did not give him the same treatment as Premier League sides now do.

Domestically, he is constantly identified as Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat. Opposition teams set up to double, or even triple-mark him out the game, and consistently land heavy challenges and tackles on the England star.

He has enjoyed more space in behind against attacking sides in the Champions League, and this started immediately as he opened the scoring early on during his debut in the competition against PSV.

Arsenal have not faced a European giant such as Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in this season’s competition yet, and finishing first in the group has meant that they will avoid a lot of tricky ties.

The next step for Saka will be to continue his fine scoring form in the latter stages of the competition. Arsenal have not progressed beyond the round of 16 in the Champions League since 2010, and it will be a historic moment if he is able to lead his side to the quarter-finals.

Arsenal could still face tough opponents in Inter Milan or Porto, and this will be the stage where Saka can make himself a global superstar. He has already established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League, and is consistently producing across all competitions as Arsenal aim to compete for major honours both domestically and abroad.