There’s a actual sense of optimism at Arsenal Soccer Membership that Mikel Arteta’s facet are the present pace-setters within the Premier League and that this yr may lastly be their yr.
The Gunners are high of England’s high flight after the primary 10 video games of the 2025/26 season, dropping simply as soon as and presently on a nine-game successful streak in all competitions.
Saturday’s victory over Burnley was their eighth league match and saved them clear for the fourth yr in a row, with them presently conceding simply three objectives within the Premier League.
Their summer time offers have little doubt contributed to their success in current weeks and Arteta now has a squad stuffed with unbelievable expertise, however extra importantly depth.
One of many gamers, who was already on the Emirates earlier than the summer time switch window, has since seen a drop in his efficiency stage regardless of the elevated high quality round him in north London.
Bukayo Saka’s decline in type at Arsenal in 2025/26
Winger Bukayo Saka has established himself as Arsenal’s star man in recent times, with the Englishman typically tasked with offering objectives inside the ultimate third.
Regardless of struggling a severe hamstring damage final season, the 24-year-old made 37 appearances in all competitions, racking up a complete of 25 objectives and assists.
Nevertheless, this season has but to spark for the Hale Finish academy graduate, with Saka presently unable to achieve the excessive requirements he has set for himself on the Emirates.
Within the first eight league video games of the 2025/26 season, the England worldwide has scored simply two objectives and is but to register an help.
His current efficiency towards Burnley noticed the ahead blanked once more, extending his run with out scoring in England’s high flight to 3 video games.
Saka additionally registered simply 34 touches on the ball throughout his 90-minute efficiency, the bottom of any participant on both staff at Turf Moor.
He additionally failed to finish a single dribble or create any possibilities, additional highlighting his lack of impression within the closing third, regardless of the Gunners successful 2-0.
Arsenal participant on monitor to be Arteta’s finest participant
There isn’t a denying that Saka will return to his finest type within the coming months, however his lack of impression of late has seen many different Arsenal gamers make headlines.
Declan Rice has been very influential from set items and has typically supplied objectives from useless ball conditions, as evidenced by his three assists thus far this season.
However the 26-year-old added to his tally by turning into the highest goalscorer towards the Clarets on Saturday afternoon, scoring his second Premier League objective of the season.
Victor Gokeres and David Raya have each made an impression at each ends of the pitch, with 4 objectives and 7 clear sheets respectively thus far.
The entire aforementioned trio have made a optimistic impression of late, however none can match the extent produced by Gabriel, a centre-back who has been an actual dominant drive on each flanks.
The Brazilian centre-back, who joined from Lille in 2020, was undoubtedly signed to supply defensive high quality, however is now making a reputation for himself within the closing third.
The 27-year-old has already racked up a powerful complete of 5 objectives and an help within the first 15 video games of the 2025/26 season, together with his newest coming towards Burnley this weekend.
He rose highest on the again publish from a Rice nook kick and the ball nodded throughout the face of objective and into the trail of Gokeres, who fired from shut vary.
However the star is Gabriel. He was additionally a dominant drive on the again, occurring to play a key position within the membership’s seven clear sheets within the league in the course of the first few months of the 2025/26 season.
He made 11 defensive contributions, together with 9 clearances, one deal with and one interception, additional underscoring his capacity with out the ball at his ft.
Gabriel – Statistics towards Burnley | |
|---|---|
statistics | tally |
Play time (minutes) | 90 |
contact | 72 |
move accomplished | 93% |
Contribution in protection | 11 |
clearance | 9 |
The deal with I made | 1 |
Variety of intercepts | 1 |
gained a duel | 100% |
Statistics by FotMob | |
The Brazilian accomplished 93% of his tried passes and likewise recorded 72 touches in complete, making him the proper trendy centre-back.
His excellent capacity on the again and unbelievable goal-scoring menace make him probably the most well-rounded abilities in world soccer at present.
If the Gunners are to finish their 20-year await the Premier League title, Gabriel might be a key aspect of their success, particularly if he can preserve his present type. He’s now the favourite to be named PFA Participant of the 12 months and is now, as Jamie Carragher has stated, “essentially the most influential participant within the Premier League”.
As for Saka, his lack of type is certainly a priority, but when he can return to his unbelievable heights, the membership’s possibilities of successful title glory in Could will certainly improve tenfold.
