Arsenal: Why Bukayo Saka matters right this moment

Arsenal utilized a lot of youth talent against FC Vorskla, and that included the debut of Bukayo Saka. Here’s why that’s a big deal.

Arsenal‘s win against FC Vorskla was exciting for a lot of reasons, but no reason bigger than the fact that it was a predominantly youth team that strolled through Ukraine with ease and put up three goals to notch the win.

The regular cast of young players were out there – Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Willock – all guys that we have seen before. But there were debuts too. Zach Medley got out there for the first time – a vital player seeing as how he is a left-footed centerback, something we haven’t had in quite some time.

But Bukayo Saka got out there too. The 17-year-old Nigerian had just started making inroads with some fantastic performances with the U23s, having been called up this year from the U18s, and with his debut against Vorskla, it’s time to start talking about him.

You may have noticed this already, but obviously the first and most important thing about young Saka is that he is a natural winger. He has some experience as a fullback in his younger days, but the man is a wide attacker, a direct left wing threat.

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I could stop right there – that’s why he matters so much. But there is more to it than, obviously.

Saka has a knack for goal production from wide angles. As in, he has developed an affinity for providing assists from his directness on the wings. There is currently not a single person in the Arsenal senior team who can say that they do that. Maybe Sead Kolasinac, but he’s a defender, not a winger.

Meaning that Saka has a straight shot to first-team relevance if he can put together some regular performances, which, according to his coaches, isn’t that far off of a dream. He may only be 17, and therefore one of the youngest in the U23s, but when you’re playing in a position that is completely devoid of senior talent and you are proving yourself to be just as deadly in front of goal as you are sending the ball into the box, then there is immediate, present-day relevance.

That is why Saka matters so much. Because he is exactly what the senior set-up needs this very moment. Unlike Emile Smith Rowe or Eddie Nketiah, who have clear and obvious competition from senior players, Saka doesn’t. He is a unicorn right now, and if he plays his cards right, that can work wonders for both him and the club.