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Tom Coley

Bukayo Saka proves Jamie Carragher wrong in Phil Foden target with Cesc Fabregas Arsenal record

Bukayo Saka could only last 27 minutes against Nottingham Forest due to injury, but he still managed to leave his stamp on the game.

The 21-year-old started to limp early on in the match and needed to be taken off by Mikel Arteta in a blow ahead of a key London derby against Chelsea next weekend. The young winger still managed to continue his fine form during his time on the pitch though.

Saka's cross, which was headed in by Gabriel Martinelli for the opener at the Emirates, was his ninth goal contribution of the season already - four goals and five assists - and means he is just two assists away from matching last campaign's total.

READ MORE: How Arsenal could line-up vs Chelsea at Stamford Bridge amid Bukayo Saka injury scare

Arteta's go-to right winger has kicked into a new level along with the rest of his free-flowing side and averages better than a goal contribution per 90 for the last nine matches. He was the top-scoring teenager last term with 11 and is proving integral this season too.

Such has been his impact. Saka has become the third youngest player ever to reach 20 assists in the league, only being bettered by Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney. At 21 years and 55 days, Saka is four months older than Rooney was when he reached 20 assists and nearly 18 months older than Fabregas.

The Spaniard was one of the best teenagers, as was Rooney, to ever play in England, but he did lack goals in his early seasons as a youngster, though both players registered seven as 20-year-olds. Fabregas would make his way to such assist records with a staggering 17 in 2008/09, having already got 10 by the time he turned 18.

Although there still remains a long way to go to match Fabregas' all-time record of 20 assists in a single season, Saka's progress has been brilliant and demonstrates the levels he is capable of hitting. If he stays fit, it could be a brilliant season for the Englishman, who is also expected to be a big part of Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad.

Saka is competing against Phil Foden for a spot on the right side of attack but can also play as a wingback as well which works in his favour. Foden is one year older than Saka and has 16 assists to his name in 109 league matches. Saka's 20th came in his 109th match too, but Foden has nine more goals. Speaking about the two earlier this season, Jamie Carragher said: "Now, if you are asking me who is the better player, Phil Foden or Saka, [it's] Phil Foden.

"I was watching him for Man City, he was amazing yesterday, but I feel like Saka has actually done more in an England shirt."

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