Bukayo Saka was heavily criticised at the start of the season due to the lack of impact from a goal involvement point of view. However, in recent weeks he has silenced the critics, and once again established himself as one of Mikel Arteta’s most important players.
This has been epitomised by the fact that he has had the same impact on the Gunners that Kevin De Bruyne has for Manchester City from a creative point of view so far this season. He has been a handful for the opposition and arguably Arsenal’s most threatening player.
Saka’s excellent potential was clear from the moment that he graduated from the Hale End academy. However, the question posed at the time was whether he could turn his explosive pace and silky dribbling skills into goal conversions, and despite the doubts about this earlier in the season, he is already proving the critics wrong.
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The youngster has recorded the second most assists in the Premier League so far this season. Saka has assisted a teammate on four different occasions, as De Bruyne is the only player to provide more in the division by setting up six goals, but the fact that Saka is almost level with the Belgian is impressive due to the Manchester City midfielder being considered as one of the best and most creative players in the division.
This is a testament to Saka’s excellent ability and the trust placed in him by Mikel Arteta. The youngster has had the responsibility to lead the Arsenal attack at times over the last few seasons, and he has responded by fulfilling the task.
There have been questions surrounding Saka’s future at the Emirates Stadium, in particular recently as his contract situation is beginning to reach a precarious stage. He has just two years remaining on his current deal and is approaching the stage where a renewal must happen.
Towards the end of last season, the Englishman was viewed as one of the club's most valuable assets and football.london understood that the Gunners had made extending the current contract of the youngster a key priority ahead of the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old is currently valued at £84million, according to CIES Football Observatory.
However, according to 90min, Real Madrid and Manchester City are among the sides monitoring Saka, which Arsenal and the player are aware of, but there's growing confidence that fresh terms will be signed off before the new year.
It is because of this that 90min have also reported that Arsenal are pushing hard to tie Saka down to a new long-term contract. The report goes on to claim that Edu believes the deal is on the right track.
Saka’s importance to the team from a creativity point of view highlights why it is pivotal that the Gunners extend his contract.
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