What does the returning Bukayo Saka bring to Arsenal?

Oh, how we all missed him.

More than three months after his last Arsenal game, Bukayo Saka is now back on the mend and could make his first-team return as early as next week.

Things actually went quite well without him (no, really!). Though our title dream has all but died, the Gunners have lost just one league match post-Christmas and qualified for the Champions League quarter-final in March, thumping PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate in the round of 16.

In addition, a reborn Mikel Merino has chipped in with the goals of late while 18-year-old teammate, Ethan Nwaneri, is stepping up ably on the right flank. One would almost think it is a striker, not Saka, that Arsenal really need up front.

But make no mistake about it – Saka is a world-class talent, and his recovery will bring great benefit to the remaining campaign.

What qualities will Bukayo Saka bring to Arsenal upon his return from injury?

Nowhere shall that be more keenly felt than in attack. Whether he hugs the touchline, combines with others or embraces the one-vs-one battle (on either side), our starboy can wield flank magic like few of his peers and should, thus, only help us to better manage the striker-less weeks and months that lie ahead.

Nwaneri and co. did a fine job of that themselves but perhaps not quite to Saka standards; he still lies top of our combined G/A records in all competitions (22). And his absence has also been felt at set pieces, with Arsenal scoring just three goals from corners in the 12 Premier League games since he sustained injury at Selhurst Park compared to eight in the previous 17 matches (with Saka's delivery being responsible for five of that eight).

Those numbers lay bare the extent to which this team relies on Saka up top, yet his return will bring another, marked boost to our defensive unit. He puts in a huge amount of work off the ball, ranking high amongst his positional peers in Europe for tackles, blocks and clearances – in the 85th, 68th and 66th percentiles respectively – and it is all thanks to an undying willingness to track back and/or close down opponents as they build from the back.

As a long-term absentee, there is every chance Saka will be eased back in slowly (even if history says Mikel Arteta will launch him back in at half-fitness). But a managed return could still see him back for at least the second leg of our upcoming UCL date versus Real Madrid, if not sooner, and, if that happens, it means we can have real belief of claiming a semi-final spot.

The past few months show that Arsenal can live without Saka and it might lead the boss to take more care with his game time post-injury than before. However, the Hale End man brings so many qualities to the table that it is difficult to leave him out when fit and, hopefully, fans will get to see them qualities shine at their brightest again very soon (starting at the Bernabeu…).

Lest we forget, he is called ‘starboy’ for a reason.

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