Bukayo Saka just broke a 46-year Arsenal record by doing one thing in West Ham win

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Bukayo Saka scored his 50th Arsenal goal against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka netted from the penalty spot in the first half at the London Stadium to put Mikel Arteta’s side 2-0 up and hit this personal milestone. There were many more goals to come, as the Gunners utterly destroyed their London rivals.

This goal marked Saka’s 50th senior strike for the north London club, a feat he has reached at the age of 22, and in just 209 appearances. 

At 22-years and 159-days old, the Hale End academy graduate has become the youngest player to rack up 50 goals for Arsenal since Frank Stapleton did so 46 years ago in 1978. There will surely be many more records to come for the young attacker in an Arsenal shirt.

In the second half against West Ham, Saka was even able to score his 51st Arsenal goal, as he cut inside onto his left-foot in trademark style and fired into the back of the net.

The 32-cap England international is more than just a goalscorer, he is a supreme creator as well, with 49 assists for the Gunners already under his belt too.

How important is Bukayo Saka to Arsenal?

His importance to Arteta’s side cannot scarcely be overstated. Whilst Saka has had his challenges this season, as he has increasingly found himself targeted by opposition defenders, he remains a talismanic presence at the Emirates Stadium.

It is now vital that the £195,000-a-week ace is able to remain fit and in form for the remainder of the campaign. Certainly, if Arsenal are to stand any chance of being crowned champions this season then they will need Saka firing on all cylinders. 

There is even an argument that Arsenal are over-reliant upon Saka. He plays an awful lot of matches and there is not a natural back-up for him in the squad, in the shape of a left-footed right-winger who can accurately replicate his tactical function in the side. This may well be a concern that Arteta seeks to address in the upcoming summer transfer window.

In the meantime, Saka will continue to shoulder the hopes and expectations of many Arsenal fans, a burden that he has so far shown himself to be capable of bearing.