Many have questioned Bukayo Saka’s performance at Arsenal this season, but the winger still leads the Premier League for key passes, successful dribbles, and offensive duels won.
Whilst Saka’s direct contribution to the team may have dipped below his usual levels, data continues to prove why he is still one of the Premier League’s best wide attackers.
Honest answers only: Is our attack really good enough to win the Premier League?
Recently, Saka signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, securing his future until the summer of 2030.
Regardless of how the 24-year-old has performed this season, he remains one of Europe’s best, and the stats highlight why.
Bukayo Saka’s underlying data at Arsenal is so impressive
Bukayo Saka remains quite comfortably one of the best players in the Premier League at Arsenal this season.
In terms of goals and assists, the winger has found the back of the net just five times this season, and has the same tally for number of assists.
But behind the data for direct goal contributions, there are many impressive tallies in terms of underlying data at the Emirates Stadium.
Comparing Saka to other Premier League wingers, using DataMB, he currently ranks first for key passes, shot assists, successful dribbles, and offensive duels won. Additionally, he is first for successful attacking actions and touches in the box.
TRUE or FALSE: Bukayo Saka is the BEST winger in the Premier League…
Meanwhile, the youngster also ranks second for xG + xA, expected assists, and dribble success rate. He also holds the second-highest percentage for offensive duels won and is the second-most-fouled player in the league.
For sure, Mikel Arteta would love to see Saka chip in with more goals and assists, but the work he is doing elsewhere remains a key reason the Gunners are top of the Premier League.
This season, Saka has added a new string to his bow, also featuring in the number ten role, and it’s an interesting option for the Spanish coach to utilise at some stage.
Against Chelsea, Saka was by far Arsenal’s biggest threat, managing five key passes, 100 per cent cross accuracy and three fouls drawn.
Over the next few weeks, Saka’s form is going to be key in determining whether the Gunners win the Premier League, and it’s time for fans to get right behind him again.
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