ARSENAL are a different team with Bukayo Saka involved. If there was any uncertainty about this, there now isn’t after the 23-year-old’s goal-scoring performance against Liverpool on Sunday. The Gunners might not have held on for three points, but Saka’s contribution gave them the chance of a win in the first place.

“After a few weeks off, the way he played and competed was exceptional,” said Mikel Arteta after the draw against Liverpool, highlighting Saka as arguably the best player on the pitch. Arsenal missed Saka when he was sidelined through injury for the recent matches against Bournemouth and Shakhtar Donetsk. His return couldn’t come quickly enough.

Against Liverpool, Saka was a constant threat down the right wing. He tied Andy Robertson in knots for the opening goal of the game and was a reliable outlet for Arsenal to drive at the opposition defence. The Gunners were dangerous whenever Saka got the ball in space. Their entire game plan was geared towards him and his qualities.

Saka is currently the best winger in world football. Nobody else is playing that position at the level of the 23-year-old whose technical and physical attributes make him a true game-changer. Just look at the skill involved in bringing down Ben White’s long pass and beating Robertson all at speed before slamming home a finish at the near post.

 

This has become the norm for Saka who became the youngest player to reach 50 Premier League goals for Arsenal by scoring against Liverpool on Sunday. Supporters have become used to seeing this sort of output by the winger who has also made his mark for England in recent years, but there’s nothing normal about what Saka is doing. He is extraordinary.

Of course, Vinicius Junior deserves a mention when it comes to discussing world class wingers. The Real Madrid star has had the best year of his career to date and was one of the frontrunners to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or after lifting the Champions League and Spanish title last season. He might be the best player on the planet at this moment in time.

However, Vinicius has evolved into an all-round forward over the last few seasons. He can dribble and is among the very best at attacking open space with his speed and directness, but Carlo Ancelotti most commonly deploys the Brazilian centrally, even if his starting position is on the left side. This has been even more the case since Real Madrid’s capture of Kylian Mbappe.

 

Mohamed Salah is another wide player who has more than proved himself at the elite level over a number of seasons, but like Vinicius he is given the freedom to attack centrally, like he did for Liverpool’s equalising goal to make it 2-2 against Arsenal on Sunday. The Egyptian is a modern interpretation of a wide forward.

Saka, on the other hand, is a proper winger. His only thought when he receives the ball is to either dribble at his opponent or cross it into the box. He is a throwback to a different era of football when wingers were the most exciting players on the pitch. Watching Saka is always an exhilarating experience.

As good as Saka was against Liverpool on Sunday, the 2-2 draw saw Arsenal lose more ground on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners are already five points behind the defending champions and the latest injury to Gabriel Magalhaes won’t help them close that gap. As long as Saka is fit, though, they have a chance.

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