Why Bukayo Saka Is the Next [READ PIECE TO LEARN WHICH SUPERSTAR]
Bukayo Saka: pretty good at soccer!
I wrote about how he’s, very quietly, made the leap into a new level of stardom this season:
Outside of Saka, pretty much every attacker on Arsenal is scoring and assisting goals, or taking and creating shots, at a lower rate than last season. The more controlled approach in possession has helped them become the best defensive team in the league, by far: 22 non-penalty goals conceded, 16.9 non-penalty xG conceded -- both league-bests. But before the recent goal explosion of the past few weeks, the more deliberate possession style has led to more defenders behind the ball, which has made it harder for the likes of Martinelli and Odegaard to be as productive as they were last season.
Not Saka, though. In an environment in which all of his attacking teammates have found it harder to perform, he's been even better than last year. And so, I think we're seeing Saka make the so-called leap -- even if it might not seem immediately obvious that he is.
Sorry for missing last week. The two pieces that didn’t get their own newsletters:
I picked out one relevant stat for every team in MLS as part of our 2024 season preview.
I analyzed all of the permanent transfers Chelsea have made in the Todd Boehly Era.
Also, I was on ESPN FC Live today to talk about the disaster that is Manchester United, the bright future at Arsenal, and the starry present at Inter Miami:
Have great days, everyone.