The 2025/26 season wasn’t a vintage one for Bukayo Saka, but his importance to this Arsenal team is unquestionable, despite his continued fitness struggles.
In the Premier League, for example, only Victor Goqueres (15) has more goals and assists for the Gunners team (12), an impressive return considering he started just 25 games.
The 24-year-old is currently fighting to be fit for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia. In recent years, he has often been a star player for the Three Lions.
From his breakthrough performance at Euro 2020 to his spectacular highlight in Switzerland two years ago, Saka has remained front and center for both club and country.
From England Records | ||
|---|---|---|
competition | game | Goal (assist) |
EUR | 11 | 1(1) |
WC qualifying | 8 | 4 (3) |
friendly match | 8 | 2(1) |
Nations League A | 8 | 0 (1) |
euro qualifier | 7 | 4(2) |
world cup | 4 | 3(1) |
Nations League B | 3 | 0 (0) |
total | 49 | 14(9) |
There will be at least one statement attacking his arrival at the Emirates this summer, but there is even a chance that the Hale End graduate could be overshadowed under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal ready to make £87m offer for World Cup star
From Julian Alvarez to Eli Junior Crupi, the priority for the Gunners appears to be to bring in big-name signings to strengthen their front line, preferably bringing in players who can play centrally and on the left.
The situation has worsened with talk of Leandro Trossard leaving the club, with the Belgian forward reportedly agreeing terms with Turkish giants Vestikas ahead of a summer move.
Trossard’s departure leaves a void on the left flank, but even more exciting options could be on the table, with the Gunners looking to sign Christos Tzoris from Club Brugge.
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Christos Tzoris could be an immediate fixture in Arsenal’s attacking midfield.
In fact, Arsenal have made Juventus and Turkish star Kenan Yildiz their “dream target” in the summer, according to journalist Sascha Tavolieri.
The Gunners are thought to have “plans” in place for the 21-year-old, although there is no indication there will be any immediate progress on the deal as he prepares to play at the World Cup.
Tavolieri even added that Arteta and his team are prepared to pay a transfer fee of around 100 million euros (approximately 8.7 billion yen) to sign the young Turin forward.
Comparison of Yildiz and Saka in 2025/26
Yildiz’s World Cup adventure didn’t get off to the best of starts with a 2-0 loss to Australia, but it’s safe to say that on an individual basis he’s fresh off a great 2025/26 season.
Juventus may have missed out on Champions League qualification, but the number 10 remains a star attraction and captained the team against Real Madrid earlier in the campaign.
He has been a shining light in Turin’s turbulent times, with compatriot Fatih Terim hinting that he will become “one of the best in the world” and praising Yildiz as “one of the best of the new generation”.
After scoring 11 goals and assisting in Serie A in 2024-25, the £87 million man reached a new level last season, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists for Il Bianconeri.
For comparison, as already mentioned, Saka didn’t exactly mess it up, scoring just seven goals and registering just five assists, despite remaining an untouchable presence under Arteta.
What was also striking about Yildiz’s form was how clinical he was in front of goal, having missed just three “big chances” all season. Saka, on the other hand, matched Yildiz’s goal conversion rate of 10%, but missed eight “big chances”.
Interestingly, the Juve speedster, who can also play on the left or in a central role, actually outperformed Saka in a creative sense, creating 15 ‘big chances’ and averaging 2.1 key passes per game.
In Saka’s case, he ranks second in the Arsenal team with 12 “big chances” created, and again second only to Yildiz in terms of key passes (2.0 per game).
Yildiz also leads the league in dribbling skills, with 2.2 successful dribbles per game, compared to the English average of 1.6.
The young man is not only a goal scorer, a creative force, and capable of incredible play, but he also controls superbly in possession, with a passing accuracy of 84%, which is again better than Saka (77%).
He certainly ticks a lot of boxes at a time when Arsenal are crying out for reinforcements on the left, with Yildiz boasting game-changing talismanic qualities that will further enhance Arteta’s forward line.
Even at 21, the Turkish international has already proven he can withstand the pressures of being a mainstay at an elite club like Juventus – could he do the same by overtaking Saka in north London?
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