Bukayo Saka is outperforming Mohamed Salah in key statistic – it could decide Arsenal’s title chances

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One Arsenal star is head and shoulders above his teammates and it could be about to cause Mikel Arteta some problems.

The Gunners entered 2025 sitting third in the Premier League table, trailing league leaders Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal will hope to go on a run to bolster their chances of winning the title in May, with some ground to cover to catch Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta has full trust in his players to deliver however, the Gunners received a significant blow as Bukayo Saka underwent surgery on a hamstring injury.

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What Bukayo Saka is doing better than Mohamed Salah in the Premier League

Saka is crucial to Arsenal’s success, being Arteta’s shining light on the right side of attack.

In his absence, there’s a sizable void to fill, with Gabriel Martinelli attempting to replace Saka’s threat in the final third.

Such is easier said than done, as the 23-year-old is so influential to how Arsenal play, which is reinforced by the numbers.

Data provided by analyst Scott Willis revealed just how impactful Saka really is, displaying a chart of the top performing players in the final third this season.

The graphic shows Saka leading the way when it comes to expected goals from shot-creating actions, averaging significantly more than anyone in the Premier League.

Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah comes in second behind Saka, with the Arsenal star leading the way on a per 90 minute basis.

Saka’s injury could be detrimental to Arsenal’s title hopes

While Saka performing so well is a positive, it’s also a wake up call for the Gunners regarding how much the Arsenal squad will miss his presence.

Several players can fill in for the Englishman positionally but, as the numbers display, no player can truly replicate what the Hale End graduate does.

Martinelli’s approach is different to Saka’s, emphasising the concern around the matter of the Arsenal winger being injured.

If Arteta cannot sufficiently replace the 23-year-old whilst he is sidelined, Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title could significantly decrease, spelling bad news in what has been an unlucky campaign on the injury front.