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Arsenal Quarterly Report Card: Bukayo Saka

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with the Heads Up Emirates FA Cup Trophy following his team's victory in the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with the Heads Up Emirates FA Cup Trophy following his team's victory in the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal have a wonderkid on their hands.

Known for over a year now, the rise of Bukayo Saka nevertheless continues to surprise. Despite his incredible ability being well-known beyond Arsenal, when you take stock of his age and how quickly he’s exploded onto the scene, we continue to sit in awe.

Handed the No. 7 shirt by the club before the season began, Saka finally appears to have settled in a particular position on the left side of a midfield three.

Arsenal have become reliant on the 19-year-old this term – something they shouldn’t be – but they’re forced to as he’s one of few threats in a blunt front line. The season may not be going too well, but Saka sure is.

The Good

How long do we have? It’s near impossible to avoid listing every single glorious trait Saka possesses, so for the sake of repetitiveness, we’ll angle it towards his maturity.

Never overawed by the occasion or the opposition, Saka is fearless in his approach and determined in his mindset. No obstacle is unscalable. How someone that young can be so composed on the pitch yet equally astute to the tactical needs of the team is remarkable.

He continues to grow as a footballer and we cherish every step of the way.

https://twitter.com/BukayoSaka87/status/1327275402537164801

The Bad

The Aston Villa defeat was admittedly one of his worst showings for Arsenal since bursting onto the scene. Not like that have we seen him lose his marker, and indeed the ball, before.

Can you berate him for it? Certainly not. A turgid team performance has no obvious plus points, and despite being weak in almost every facet, Saka could not be found guilty of lacking effort.

Probing and driving with the ball, at least he tried. He was due a bad performance.

Best Moment

Arsenal’s best player on a few occasions this season, we’ll actually move away from club football and herald his man of the match outing against the Republic or Ireland for England.

The standout man in the 3-0 win, with the European Championships postponed, it’d be an almighty shock not to see Saka make the plane.

He offers a problem-solving trait to England which is invaluable, and with the rate of progression he’s doing for Arsenal and his country, Gareth Southgate would be foolish to exempt someone of his natural talent.

dark. Next. Mo's Report Card

Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal Rating

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