There is a real sense of optimism at Arsenal Football Club that Mikel Arteta’s side are the current pace-setters in the Premier League and that this year could finally be their year.
The Gunners are top of England’s top flight after the first 10 games of the 2025/26 season, losing just once and currently on a nine-game winning streak in all competitions.
Saturday’s victory over Burnley was their eighth league match and kept them clean for the fourth year in a row, with them currently conceding just three goals in the Premier League.
Their summer deals have no doubt contributed to their success in recent weeks and Arteta now has a squad full of incredible talent, but more importantly depth.
One of the players, who was already at the Emirates before the summer transfer window, has since seen a drop in his performance level despite the increased quality around him in north London.
Bukayo Saka’s decline in form at Arsenal in 2025/26
Winger Bukayo Saka has established himself as Arsenal’s star man in recent years, with the Englishman often tasked with providing goals inside the final third.
Despite suffering a serious hamstring injury last season, the 24-year-old made 37 appearances in all competitions, racking up a total of 25 goals and assists.
However, this season has yet to spark for the Hale End academy graduate, with Saka currently unable to reach the high standards he has set for himself at the Emirates.
In the first eight league games of the 2025/26 season, the England international has scored just two goals and is yet to register an assist.
His recent performance against Burnley saw the forward blanked again, extending his run without scoring in England’s top flight to three games.
Saka also registered just 34 touches on the ball during his 90-minute performance, the lowest of any player on either team at Turf Moor.
He also failed to complete a single dribble or create any chances, further highlighting his lack of impact in the final third, despite the Gunners winning 2-0.
Arsenal player on track to be Arteta’s best player
There is no denying that Saka will return to his best form in the coming months, but his lack of impact of late has seen many other Arsenal players make headlines.
Declan Rice has been very influential from set pieces and has often provided goals from dead ball situations, as evidenced by his three assists so far this season.
But the 26-year-old added to his tally by becoming the top goalscorer against the Clarets on Saturday afternoon, scoring his second Premier League goal of the season.
Victor Gokeres and David Raya have both made an impact at both ends of the pitch, with four goals and seven clean sheets respectively so far.
All of the aforementioned trio have made a positive impact of late, but none can match the level produced by Gabriel, a centre-back who has been a real dominant force on both flanks.
The Brazilian centre-back, who joined from Lille in 2020, was undoubtedly signed to provide defensive quality, but is now making a name for himself in the final third.
The 27-year-old has already racked up an impressive total of five goals and an assist in the first 15 games of the 2025/26 season, with his latest coming against Burnley this weekend.
He rose highest at the back post from a Rice corner kick and the ball nodded across the face of goal and into the path of Gokeres, who fired from close range.
But the star is Gabriel. He was also a dominant force at the back, going on to play a key role in the club’s seven clean sheets in the league during the first few months of the 2025/26 season.
He made 11 defensive contributions, including nine clearances, one tackle and one interception, further underscoring his ability without the ball at his feet.
Gabriel – Statistics against Burnley | |
|---|---|
statistics | tally |
Play time (minutes) | 90 |
touch | 72 |
pass completed | 93% |
Contribution in defense | 11 |
clearance | 9 |
The tackle I made | 1 |
Number of intercepts | 1 |
won a duel | 100% |
Statistics by FotMob | |
The Brazilian completed 93% of his attempted passes and also recorded 72 touches in total, making him the perfect modern centre-back.
His outstanding ability at the back and incredible goal-scoring threat make him one of the most well-rounded talents in world football today.
If the Gunners are to end their 20-year wait for the Premier League title, Gabriel could be a key element in their success, especially if he can maintain his current form. He is now the favorite to be named PFA Player of the Year and is now, as Jamie Carragher has said, “the most influential player in the Premier League”.
As for Saka, his lack of form is definitely a concern, but if he can return to his incredible heights, the club’s chances of winning title glory in May will definitely increase tenfold.
