They said he wasn’t elite anymore. The numbers say otherwise.
Bukayo Saka just signed a contract until 2030 worth a reported £300,000 per week — and somehow, people are still debating whether he’s the Premier League’s best winger.
It’s starting to look silly.
Last week’s late collapse at Molineux overshadowed what should have been a celebration: Saka committing his future to Arsenal. The 24-year-old, who has been at the club since he was seven, marked the moment by miming the signing of a contract after heading home against Wolves.
Poetic.
Yes, Arsenal stumbled late in that match. But Saka’s impact this season tells a very different story from the critics.
While rival fans question whether he’s still “elite,” the data quietly dismantles that argument.
According to Squawka, Saka is the only Premier League player this season to have both:
• Created 40+ chances
• Completed 40+ take-ons
He has 46 of each.
And here’s the kicker: he’s done it in just 1,732 league minutes — roughly 69% of Arsenal’s total minutes due to injury disruptions.
Even with reduced availability, he ranks among the league’s attacking leaders:
• 4th for chances created (46)
• 4th for successful dribbles (46)
• 4th for key passes (47)
• 3rd for successful open-play crosses (20)
• 2nd for touches in the opposition box (147)
Only Erling Haaland has touched the ball more often inside the opponent’s penalty area.
Let that sink in.
His raw numbers — eight goals and seven assists in all competitions — may feel slightly below his explosive standards. But context matters.
His expected assists (6.03) rank 6th in the league. His 24 shots on target place him among elite finishers. His influence in the final third remains relentless.
And when the stage is biggest?
He shows up.
In the North London derby demolition of Tottenham, Saka topped the charts for:
• Duels contested (22)
• Passes in the final third (21)
• Touches in the opposition box (18)
• Fouls won (4)
That’s not just output. That’s dominance.
The “best winger” debate often gets reduced to highlight reels and goal tallies. But Saka’s game is layered: ball progression, defensive tracking, creative spark, and relentless work rate.
At 24, he is not just producing — he’s evolving.
Arsenal are chasing four trophies. He is central to all of it.
And with Chelsea next up — a team he already has two goals and four assists against — another statement performance could silence the noise once again.
Debates are fun.
But sometimes, the numbers end them.
Saka isn’t fading.
He’s refining.
And if this is him below his “usual standards,” the Premier League should be very worried about what comes next.
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