Some football players radiate pure joy on the field, and Bukayo Saka, the England and Arsenal star, is one of them.
Bukayo Saka, the England and Arsenal sensation, brings an undeniable sense of joy to football. Since bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old, after joining the club at just seven, Saka has received accolades both domestically and internationally. But what exactly sets him apart?
Examining his club and international career, analyzing his playing style, and considering the praise he’s garnered, it’s evident that the 22-year-old is an exceptional talent. Here’s why Saka stands out.
Saka made his first-team debut under Unai Emery, replacing Aaron Ramsey in the 68th minute against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League during the 2018/19 season. However, it was the following season when he truly began to shine. At 18, he scored his first senior goal for Arsenal against Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2019/20 Europa League opener. He also provided two assists in the 3-0 victory, ending Arsenal’s three-game winless streak. Despite injuries forcing him to play as a left-back, his versatility and intelligence allowed him to excel in this unfamiliar position.
He finished the season with 12 assists and four goals, and won an FA Cup medal. Mikel Arteta’s arrival as manager further boosted Saka’s development. Since then, he has cemented his status as an attacking star, becoming one of the best wingers in the Premier League and the world.
One of Saka’s greatest strengths is his consistent improvement. His Premier League stats tell the story: six goal contributions in his first season, then eight, followed by 18, and 25 in each of the last two seasons. Arsenal’s performance has mirrored his rise, moving from eighth place to twice challenging for the league title and finishing second behind Manchester City.
Bukayo Saka has dazzled on football pitches beyond north London as well. When he swaps Arsenal’s red for England’s white jersey, the 22-year-old shines just as brightly. Despite his youth, he has already earned 40 international caps, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists. He has competed in three international tournaments, netting three goals in the 2022 World Cup, and reaching two European Championship finals. His stellar performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him the title of England Men’s Player of the Year for both 2021/22 and 2022/23.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Saka’s game is his character. This was on full display at Euro 2024. In the previous tournament, despite being one of England’s standout players, he endured vile racist abuse after missing a penalty against Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Yet, when England faced a penalty shootout against Switzerland in the summer of 2024, Saka didn’t hesitate to step up.
Having already scored a stunning goal in regular time, Saka confidently took his penalty and scored with ease. Reflecting on the moment after the game, he shared a glimpse into his resilient mentality, telling the press: “You can fail once. But you have a choice whether you put yourself in that position again.”
Bukayo Saka’s playing style is a masterclass in complexity. While he has the speed to make runs behind defenses, he’s far from one-dimensional. For England, he’s often tasked with reaching the byline, but at Arsenal, he frequently receives the ball at his feet.
Arsenal’s strategy often involves feeding the ball to Saka on the right wing, allowing him to confront defenders directly. With his exceptional dribbling skills, he cuts inside on his left foot to shoot, cross, or pass. Saka’s strength enables him to hold off defenders and spin even when facing his own goal. His adept use of his right foot makes him unpredictable and difficult to defend against. His versatility, intelligence, and work rate allow him to cover defensive positions or move centrally and across both flanks.
Compared to other wingers in the top five leagues, as well as in the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League over the past year, Saka excels in many areas. He ranks in the upper 80th percentile or higher for non-penalty goals, assists, shot-creating actions, progressive passes received, touches, blocks, and tackles.
Bukayo Saka has long been destined for greatness, a sentiment echoed by Arsenal U16 coach Trevor Bumstead in 2020. Reflecting on Saka’s abilities, Bumstead emphasized his strengths, saying:
“Bukayo always stood out in the younger teams. He was a fantastic decision-maker. He knew when to beat people and when to pass, as well as having brilliant physical attributes and really good character and personality.”
Roy Keane could not help but praise the youngster either, saying in 2024: “Bukayo Saka would get in probably every team in the world.” Despite playing for Arsenal’s rivals Manchester United and England’s rivals Ireland.
Yet, no one captured Saka’s brilliance better than Ian Wright. In 2021, the Arsenal legend unequivocally expressed just how extraordinary Saka is, saying: “Everyone at Arsenal knows he is burdened with glorious purpose.”
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