Bukayo Saka has made a sensational start to the 2024/25 season which could be on course to break a host of Premier League and club records.
The Arsenal winger has been in scintillating form since the opening day, when he laid on his first assist of the new campaign with a cross for Kai Havertz to head home. He then netted the second of the game to confirm the points against Wolves, with a low left-footed strike.
That set the tone for an incredible start to the season, and Bukayo’s blistering form is the focus of our tactical analysis. His recent injury in England’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Greece is cause for concern but the forward remains a key component of their hopes.
Assist king
Seven games into the Premier League season, Saka leads the way in terms of assists with seven – the most for any player in any of Europe’s big five leagues. He’s also created the most big chances (12) in Europe, and in terms of overall chances created he’s leading the way in the Premier League with 27, while only Barcelona’s Raphinha has more in Europe.
The England international tied a club record earlier this season by assisting in each of Arsenal’s opening five league games, a feat only Thierry Henry had managed back in 2004/05. Two came from corners for Gabriel Magalhaes to head home against Tottenham and Manchester City, while the other five were in open play, three of which resulted in goals for Havertz.
Incidentally, the record for most assists in a Premier League season remains 20, set originally by Henry in 2002/03, and then equalled by Kevin De Bruyne in 2019/20.
Saka is on track to break that early on, as only three players have ever had more assists (8) than him at this stage of the season – Harry Kane in 2020/21, De Bruyne in the season he tied the record, and Cesc Fabregas back in 2009/10.
Overall attacking threat
He’s not just making goals for others though, Bukayo has also been trigger-happy this season, having had 25 attempts on goal from the first seven matches. Only four players have had more attempts, and his total of nine goal involvements is the third-highest in the Premier League.
Saka has been directly involved in 60 per cent of Arsenal’s league goals in 2024/25, no player’s goal contributions have been more valuable in any other Premier League team.
Six of the 23-year-old’s nine league goal involvements have either been to draw level or put his side ahead. In each of their last two games – at home to Leicester City and Southampton – he has created at least seven chances and taken at least seven shots.
Saka is showing his value to the team in more ways than one with his hard work off the ball too. He features prominently on the ball-winning metrics in the final third of the pitch, winning the ball nine times with only three players doing it more in the league.
The Arsenal No. 7 has now scored 49 goals in the league and he is on course to be the fifth-youngest to reach half a century for the North London side.
Eyes on the prize
Saka is optimistic about Arsenal’s chances of dethroning Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title this season. Influential midfielder Rodri’s season-ending knee injury significantly boosts the Gunners’ hopes, but Saka is not getting carried away too early.
In an interview with CBS Sports, he said: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on us but I do think that this is the year.”
“Previous years, I’ve come runner-ups a lot. It’s just that spirit in me that I want to win this season and of course, I believe in myself a lot.”
The Hale End graduate who has come a long way through the ranks at the North London club has been pivotal to their progress over the years, working his way from a young debutant under Unai Emery to being a regular starter under Mikel Arteta.
The young forward is no doubt a menace down that right-hand side when attacking and hence, the extra attention from opponents. Yet, his decisiveness in the final third is a real cause for worry to defenders as his dribbling skills, strength and pace consistently produces goals for Arsenal’s title push.
Sadly, Arsenal are now facing a nervous wait on Saka’s fitness after the winger limped out of England’s defeat to Greece at Wembley Stadium. He was replaced in the 51st minute after initially pulling up when trying to deliver a cross, then seen holding his right hamstring in discomfort.
Saka is now a doubt for Arsenal’s next league match having left the England training camp for further assessment by the club. Arsenal next face Bournemouth on Saturday, October 19 and the last two international breaks have seen them lose captain Martin Odegaard with Norway and now Saka.
Havertz has also withdrawn from the Germany squad due to a knee injury, giving Mikel Arteta a number of selection headaches ahead of the resumption. Any prolonged injury to Saka so early in the season would be a mighty blow to the Gunners’ creativity as a whole given he’s currently one of their most in-form players.
