Who could replace Bukayo Saka if he leaves?
Who could replace Bukayo Saka if he leaves?
You really have to remind yourself Saka is still 20 years old, given the consistently high level of performances he has put in during the Gunners’ push to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in six years.
Saka’s performances in an otherwise disappointing 2020/21 campaign led to him playing a big part in helping England reach the final of Euro 2020.
Following his missed penalty in that heart-breaking shoot-out, it would have been understandable if the sort of hangover that has afflicted Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho at Manchester United had carried into this season.
Not a bit of, though; Saka’s game has continued to hit new heights, with the versatile winger scoring ten goals and registering five assists after scoring the only goal in Saturday’s win against Aston Villa.
Unsurprisingly, his form has attracted the attention of some of the biggest clubs around Europe but Saka remaining at the Emirates feels crucial to Arsenal’s continued progress as a team in the long-term.
Should the unthinkable happen - and it doesn’t look like that is close to happening, thank goodness - then there are several talented players around the continent who could attempt to fill his shoes.
Here is a look at who could replace Saka if he does ever choose to leave the Gunners.
Christopher Nkunku
Frenchman Christopher Nkunku comes in a bit older than Saka, at 24 years old, but has blossomed in a similar vein at RB Leipzig this season.
It is goalscoring where Nkunku has really raised his level, scoring 26 goals in all competitions despite not being a recognised striker.
The former PSG youngster has already shown what he can do against English opposition when he scored a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League and it feels like a matter of time until he is called up by the France national team.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling continuing to be in and out of Manchester City’s line-up means talk of the winger being potentially reunited with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal are not going away.
Like Saka, Sterling is capable of both scoring goals and creating chances, even if he is a bit more of a poacher in front of goal than the Gunners’ brilliant young talent.
At 27 years old, the former FWA Footballer of the Year has quite a few years at the highest level left in him and he would surely relish being more of an automatic choice at this stage of his career.
Arnaut Danjuma
Arnaut Danjuma’s superb display as Villarreal knocked Juventus out of the Champions League this week was another starring role in what has been a successful first season in Spain.
He struggled to adapt to the Premier League with Bournemouth two seasons ago, but has not looked back since lighting up the Championship with the Cherries last season.
Since moving to La Liga, Danjuma has consistently twisted defenders inside out in a style similar to Saka, while his penalty against Juve was the 25-year-old Dutchman’s 14th goal of the campaign.
Florian Wirtz
We move a bit younger down the age scale, but if you are breaking into the German national team at 18 years of age, as Florian Wirtz has, you must have something about you.
Wirtz has shown himself to be very adaptable as an attacking midfielder since breaking through with Bayer Leverkusen almost two years ago, as he dangerous through the middle or as an inverted winger on the left.
Like others on this list, goalscoring is an area he has improved, as he has reached double figures for the first time in what looks like a very promising career.
However, the youngster in not short of other suitors and a recent ACL injury has likely put any summer move on hold for now.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
We’re ending with a cheeky one as Chelsea’s current predicament could lead to them needing to trim their massive squad in the summer.
There are similarities in Saka’s game with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s, even if the 21-year-old has not yet found the consistency in his game under Thomas Tuchel as the man one year his junior has.
Aterta has already brought on the talents of the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as Saka, during his time in charge, raising the chance that he could do the same with Hudson-Odoi.
