Football

Bukayo Saka sets Arsenal Premier League record in Crystal Palace victory

Bukayo Saka sets Arsenal Premier League record in Crystal Palace victory

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has set a new Arsenal Premier League record after his star showing in Sunday’s 4-1 victory against Crystal Palace.

The youngster became the first player to reach double figures for goals and assists in the competition this season, taking his tallies to 12 and 10 respectively. But at the age of just 21, Saka has now become the youngest Arsenal player to achieve the feat.

His heroics of late have ensured Arsenal are now eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with the Gunners winning 22 of their 28 games so far.

They have drawn three and lost three to take their tally to 69 points, with Manchester City in second on 61, although Pep Guardiola’s side do have a game in hand.

The Gunners can, however, focus solely on their title challenge after being knocked out of the Europa League, with no FA Cup to distract them either.

Conversely, their nearest competitors City remain in the Champions League and the FA Cup, with Guardiola attempting to strike a balance in their quest for silverware.

Saka sets Arsenal record

Saka has become the 44th different player to reach double figures for goals and assists in a single Premier League campaign, with the winger assisting Gabriel Martinelli’s opener before scoring twice against the Eagles.

He is the eighth Arsenal player to complete the achievement, joining a long list of club legends, but significantly has beaten 22-year-old Cesc Fabregas to become the youngest Gunner to do it.

Also achieving the feat for the north London outfit was Dennis Bergkamp (x2), Thierry Henry (x2), Robin van Persie, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez.

Arsenal winger wants to end drought

Despite the fine feats from the long list of Arsenal talents, the Gunners have not lifted the Premier League trophy since the 2003/04 campaign.

And that is all that Saka is focusing on right now, with the winger set to be in for a huge disappointment if all of his efforts are for nothing come the end of the season.

“At the end of the season, if it makes a difference and helps my team get over the line, I’ll be happy,” said Saka, as quoted by the Official Premier League website. “But I don’t want it to be all for nothing.”

Saka

Saka out on his own

Saka has enjoyed another superb campaign under Mikel Arteta, with the winger on 13 goals for the season thanks to another strike in the Europa League. 

In the league alone, no other player is within two of reaching double figures for goals and assists. Fellow winger Mohamed Salah is his nearest competitor, with the Liverpool forward currently on 11 goals and seven assists.

And Saka’s equally talented Arsenal teammates Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard are both four away. The former has 10 goals and six assists, with the latter on eight and eight respectively.

And five off Saka is Manchester City star Erling Haaland, with the young Norwegian currently on 28 goals and five assists. He has enjoyed an incredible campaign so far, but the Arsenal youngster remains in the lead when it comes to goals and assists combined.


Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!