Graham Ruthvern: Bukayo Saka has taken another step forward in his development and is one of the best wingers in the world

TWO goals and an assist in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace made Bukayo Saka the only player in the Premier League to reach double figures in goals and assists this season. This is a fact that highlights the 21-year-old’s productivity for the Gunners and how the winger has taken a dramatic leap forward in his recent development.

Saka has been a key figure at Arsenal for the last four seasons. He has made 125 appearances in the Premier League and has played at a World Cup and Euros for England. His quality has been established for a significant period of time, but Saka is currently reaching new heights. He’s never been this good before.

Arsenal needed players to step up once Gabriel Jesus suffered a serious injury during the 2022 World Cup. The Brazilian had been so important to the Gunners during the first half of the season many questioned whether his unavailability would derail his new team’s challenge for the Premier League title. Saka, more than anyone else at the Emirates Stadium, ensured this didn’t happen.

More than just being a productive winger for Arsenal this season, Saka has become a leader. The 21-year-old might not be the most vocal or expressive on the pitch, but he has led by example, shouldering the responsibility of being a difference-maker for the Gunners when they have needed one most.

BUKAYO SAKA WITH A SUPERB GOAL!! LOVELY ASSIST FROM BEN WHITE!!pic.twitter.com/xgOwwYw1DU

— Football Report (@FootballReprt) March 20, 2023

Technically, Saka is as good as any other winger or wide forward in the Premier League right now. He is capable of going either way with the ball at this feet. He is a good dribbler. He is an excellent shooter. Perhaps most valuable of all, he almost always makes the right decision in terms of his final ball.

“He’s improving because he’s got the right team-mates that make him better, and that’s really important,” Arteta said about Saka after the important victory over Palace. “It’s true that he affected the game in the right way for us and he’s been really consistent. We need to maintain that. He remains humble, he knows that he can still be much better, do things a lot better than he does and that’s a big given because he’s still 21 years old.”

At this point, Saka should be considered among the best wingers in world football. Vinicius Junior, for example, is often mentioned as among the best in Saka’s position with Carlo Ancelotti recently labelling the Brazilian “the best in the world,” but he has been outscored in the league (12 to eight) by his Arsenal counterpart this season. What’s more, Vinicius has scored just once in his last six games.

◉ Bukayo Saka is the first player with 10+ goals and 10+ assists in the PL this season

◉ Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the first player with 10+ goals and 10+ assists in Serie A this season

The best wingers in the world? 👥 pic.twitter.com/CbsJB7Wx8z

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 19, 2023

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has enjoyed an incredible breakout season for Napoli who sit 19 points clear at the top of Serie A and stand a good chance of going all the way in the Champions League, but the standard of Italian football right now isn’t as high as it is in the Premier League. Saka is being tested more regularly.

Of course, Saka isn’t the only young player at Arsenal to have set a new benchmark for himself this season. Gabriel Martinelli has done similar while Martin Odegaard has flourished wearing the captain’s armband. Arteta has created an environment where youngsters are allowed to grow both as players and people.

There is still some distance to run before Arsenal cross the finish line in this season’s title race, but their recent performances have pushed back against the notion that young players like Saka would crumble under the pressure. If anything, the pressure has brought the best out of Saka, Martinelli, Odegaard and co. The former in particular is shining bright.