One Arsenal star now the only player to achieve remarkable feat twice in last decade

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Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is now one of the best wingers in the world despite his young age, and he continues to break new ground.

The 22-year-old has continually improved year after year, and despite contrary claims from Rio Ferdinand, is arguably hitting a world-class level right now.

Despite his incredible performances and output for both club and country over the years, Saka is perhaps not as highly regarded by some as other top young attackers around Europe.

However, it has now emerged that Saka is perhaps one of the best young wingers to emerge in recent years, as he has achieved a feat which the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Phil Foden and Leroy Sane failed to do at his age.

Bukayo Saka sets new record among under-23 players

ESPN have now highlighted that only a select few under-23 players in the last 10 years have averaged over three tackles and interceptions, six progressive carries, over six touches in the penalty area, and 0.5 non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes in Europe’s top five leagues.

These stats have been selected to mostly single out wingers and attacking midfielders, as they paint “a picture of a player who is defensively active, drives the ball forward with his feet, has the ability to find space in the most crowded area of the field, and produces around the goal.”

Therefore, any player with one season where they reach this exclusive club of wingers, would by definition be one of the best in his age group in the world.

The players to have achieved this feat are Mario Gotze, Ousmane Dembele, Leroy Sane, Vinicius Junior, Jamal Musiala and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who achieved this feat in one season each.

Saka achieved this feat alongside these other top-class players but is the only player to have done it twice, as he has managed this feat both in this campaign and last season.

The England International also blows the stats out of the water, and the company he is keeping, and beating, shows that Saka is not only an incredible young talent, but is already an elite player.

Bukayo Saka is one of Europe’s best attacking players

There is perhaps little more Saka can do, short of team achievements, to be considered in the top bracket of attackers in Europe.

As one of the top goal and assist providers in the Champions League this season, as well as Arsenal’s best goalscorer and creator at the top end of the Premier League, he is now proven at the top level, and has been a lot more consistent than other players who have previously been considered some of the best in Europe.

Whilst some players are perhaps more clinical in front of goal than Saka, he is unique in the sense that he can provide both elite-level output, and a huge impact in build-up play through his skill, speed, strength and intelligence on the ball.

If Arsenal go on to win major silverware this season, then it will be as a result of Saka’s performances on the right-wing, and the Gunners’ talisman can consider himself world-class regardless of how his team fare towards the end of the season.