If you ask most Arsenal fans right now who the most important attacking player in this current squad is, then you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t say Bukayo Saka.
Saka returned to the starting XI against Fulham this weekend to brilliant effect, scoring one and setting up another as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners.
Clearly, being a product of the Hale End academy helps Saka’s rapport with The Emirates crowd.
But, he is also a hugely talented player in his own right and after starting yesterday, Saka moved into an exclusive Premier League club.
Bukayo Saka now fourth among youngest players to start 200 games
Ever since Saka burst onto the scene as a teenager with the Gunners, everyone has known he’s going to be a star.
He has been just that as well, and after making his 200th start yesterday, he’s now become the fourth youngest player to start that many games in the Premier League.
Saka sits behind just three players in the ranking. Gareth Barry tops the list, with Wayne Rooney and then Rio Ferdinand completing the top three.
With Saka being such an influence on this Arsenal team at just 24 and being tied to a long-term contract, he has an opportunity to become one of Arsenal’s most played players ever.
Indeed, it’s not just the appearances either, with his stats backing up just how influential he is.
Bukayo Saka’s Premier League stats for Arsenal
When you look for a winger to influence attacking areas, you’re looking for output in terms of goals and assists.
The likes of Mohamed Salah have done this for years, but Saka is doing his bit as well. And quite impressively too.
What does Bukayo Saka need to do to be considered Arsenal’s greatest ever Premier League winger?
In his 300 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, Saka has contributed directly to 150 goals.
Among that 150, Saka has scored 80, and assisted a further 70. That is quite the stat for the Arsenal man, who with those figures alone proves he is a huge influence on this Arsenal team.
He is almost certainly a future captain of the club. And barring any serious injuries, we might end up seeing Saka become one of the greatest to ever wear an Arsenal shirt.
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