Arsenal won the title last season. They did it despite losing Bukayo Saka for long stretches. That is the context for how well he has started this one.
The Early Returns
Saka scored twice in Arsenal’s opening two league matches, including the winner against Aston Villa. Arsenal have started with four straight wins and sit joint top of the Premier League alongside Manchester City with a maximum 12 points.
Availability Is the Story
- Made 31 Premier League appearances last season despite a disrupted campaign
- Premier League analysis last season underlined the drop in Arsenal’s performance without him
- Now carries penalty responsibility in Viktor Gyokeres’ absence from the pitch
The Palmer Comparison
His early-season form has been measured constantly against Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, with Saka the more productive creator and Palmer the sharper goalscorer. Both are left-footed, both can unlock a defence instantly, and both are covered in our Palmer update. Saka’s market value of around €150m remains the higher of the two.
England Standing
Saka is in Tuchel’s squad for the Nations League fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia, one of several Arsenal players included alongside Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Ezri Konsa and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
What Comes Next
Arsenal’s title defence and a demanding England autumn will test his fitness again. Staying on the pitch, more than anything else, defines his season, as it does for several names in our weekly roundup.