Why Bukayo Saka’s season points toward an imminent scoring surge

The useful part

Bukayo Saka is about to explode again at Arsenal and here's why Skip to main content Add us as a preferred source Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal FC. Premier League 2026/27 | Stuart MacFarlane/GettyImages There's a growing collective concern over Bukayo Saka amongst Arsenal fans, and it's fair to say that there is at least some validity to these fears. --> There's a growing collective concern over Bukayo Saka amongst Arsenal fans, and it's fair to say that there is at least some validity to these fears.

How it works

• It feels like he has to work a lot harder to beat his man than he used to, and it's been a while since he bent a shot into the top corner.
• However, looking beyond the surface, there are actually good reasons to be optimistic about an explosive Saka renaissance in the coming months.
• Against Brighton, he missed a similar chance when Martin Odegaard found him on the counter-attack.
• However, adopting a more positive outlook on this situation actually elicits excitement about what these missed chances might mean for Saka's season.
• If Saka has proven anything throughout his career, it's that he's an extremely intelligent player who understands how to position himself to make dangerous plays.

What to take from it

The man who carries a somewhat underwhelming attack, while the imperious defence keeps the floor of the team incredibly high. --> A lot of the frustration around Saka so far this season has been about his inefficient finishing. Against Napoli, he spurned a guilt-edged opportunity, skying the ball when one-on-one with Alex Meret.

Example or evidence

• He's currently putting up elite goal-threat numbers, better than anything he's produced previously in his career.
• According to FotMob, Saka is currently getting 3.23 shots per 90 minutes (86th percentile), 0.52 non-penalty expected goals per 90 (92nd percentile), and scoring 0.65 goals per 90 (91st percentile).
• These are outstanding numbers, and if they continue, they are bound to yield an extraordinary goal output for the season, even if he keeps underperforming his xG a little.
• Stat (per 90) Value Percentile Rank Goals 0.65 91st Non-penalty xG 0.52 92nd Shots 3.23 86th Shots on target 1.94 96th.

Details worth keeping

On the eye, he doesn't look quite as bursty as he once did. He's supposed to be Arsenal's franchise player. Bukayo Saka's underlying goal threat numbers have been elite this season --> Bukayo Saka's underlying goal threat numbers have been elite this season A lot of the frustration around Saka so far this season has been about his inefficient finishing.

Related coverage

• Arsenal Mania: I've been putting this one off, because the honest answer keeps changing.
• Arseblog: Bukayo Saka has taken 13 shots on goal across four Premier League games and one Champions League game so far this season.
• Justarsenal: Bukayo Saka has started Arsenal's Premier League season in excellent form, but Sunday's clash with Chelsea gives him the opportunity to put right one surprisingly poor record.