Bukayo Saka has been excellent for Arsenal this season as the 20-year-old has arguably been Mikel Arteta’s most important player so far this campaign. The reflection of his excellent displays in the Premier League is highlighted by his statistics that are comparable to Cristiano Ronaldo.
At 20-years-old, the Hale End star boasts better stats than Ronaldo when he was the same age at Manchester United. This is a testament to his magnificent potential and the heights he could reach in an Arsenal shirt.
The England international has been crucial to Arteta’s rebuilding process at Arsenal and has become the face of the club. With the trajectory he is currently following, he is on his way to becoming a Gunners legend.
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So far in the Premier League this season, Saka has played 34 games while scoring 11 goals and assisting five in the process. This is a big improvement from Ronaldo in the 2004/2005 season when he was 20-years-old, as the Portuguese star had scored just five goals and achieved four assists in 33 games.
It is worth noting that Ronaldo was not the same goal machine he is now, but he was still utilized in the wing positions, which makes the comparisons to Saka fair as he has a similar role in the present Gunners team.
Saka is in the top five for appearances made for Arsenal before turning 20, meaning he is above Arsenal legends such as David Rocastle and Liam Brady. This highlights the importance of the Englishman to the north London side.
A lot of pressure has been heaped on the shoulders of Saka to carry Arsenal through tough situations, despite his tender age, and his style is key to Arsenal’s improved fluency in attack. It has also led to him being the most-used player under Arteta since he took control of the team in 2019.
After his breakthrough season in 2019/20, where he scored five goals and made 11 assists, he was rewarded with a new long-term contract and handed the No. 7 shirt - a jersey he has worn with pride as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of the late, great Rocastle. Cliff Bastin, David O’Leary, Stewart Robson, and Fabregas were the only players to make more appearances than Saka as a teenager, but the winger has all the credentials and ability to eclipse these players in terms of legendary status at the club.
The fact that he is beating Ronaldo’s impressive record as a teenager says a lot about the player he could be during his prime years. It is because of this that Saka is viewed as one of the club's most valuable assets and football.london understands that the Gunners have made extending the current contract of the youngster a key priority ahead of the summer transfer window.
Saka will certainly be the face of Arsenal for years to come. If he continues to match Ronaldo’s record in the Premier League, then there will be no telling just how good Saka could be in the future.
