Sensational Saka: Reflecting on a season where the boy became a man

Bukayo Saka

Sensational Saka: Reflecting on a season where the boy became a man

In a season light on positives from an Arsenal point of view, the continuing improvement of Bukayo Saka has provided something to cling on to.

The 19-year-old has put in consistently excellent performances and at times carried the weight of the side's attacking threat on his young shoulders, with a spot in England's Euro 2020 squad as the only Arsenal player to make the extended 33-man selection his deserved reward, providing he survives the cull.

Perhaps the most exciting part is that there will be plenty more still to come from a player with his best years ahead of him but for now, let's sit back and enjoy the season which saw Saka make himself indispensable.

CREATIVITY

Goals and assists are Saka's business and business was good in 2020/21 - while leaving room for improvement.

Seven goals and 10 assists in 46 appearances may not jump off the page but those contributions helped earn vital points and must also be placed in the context of a largely misfiring team.

His 38 chances created put him top of the Arsenal charts yet this tally doesn't land in the top 40 of the overall Premier League list - a sign of the bluntness seen far too often in Arteta's side during this campaign.

But while other more senior colleagues drew blanks, Saka was a constant threat and his importance to the side is illustrated by the fact only Granit Xhaka has played more minutes among Arsenal's outfield players.

VERSATILITY

What has made Saka's season all the more impressive is the fact he lined up in seven different positions across the course of the campaign - and no matter where he's played, he's delivered the goods.

He has appeared most often on the right of a front three, a post-Christmas switch which paid off in style for Mikel Arteta as the teenager's skill, pace and energy were given a chance to excel. 

Though versatility is among his greatest assets, there is a sense Saka's talents are wasted at left-back and the more he can influence the Gunners' attack, the better.

The challenge now is for the club's hierarchy to bring in quality attacking players to bring yet more out of Saka and fellow youngsters such as Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe.

Saka has had to shoulder a heavy burden this season and while he has done so admirably, he may flourish further if the responsibility is shared around.

MATURITY

For all the quality he's shown, arguably just as impressive has been Saka's attitude and on-field personality.

Let's face it, Arsenal have been garbage for much of this campaign and it would be easy, particularly as a young player, to shy away from the challenge and hide on the touchline.

Not for Saka. He always wants the ball, soaks up pressure effectively and offers an invaluable option on the break in games where Arsenal are pinned back.

This was particularly evident in the side's pre-Christmas slump, when Saka was regularly one of the few players to end games with his head held high, and four goals in six Premier League games proved key to the mini-revival over the festive period.

What's more, he does it all with a smile on his face. His status as a fans' favourite is beyond doubt and for his sake as much as anything else, Arsenal need to mount a top four challenge next season - a player with his prodigious talent is unlikely to accept a lack of European football for more than one campaign.

Photo: Getty Images

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