There’s an actual sense of optimism constructing at Arsenal Soccer Membership that this 12 months might lastly be their 12 months, with Mikel Arteta’s males the present tempo setters within the Premier League.
The Gunners sit prime of England’s prime flight after the primary ten outings of 2025/26, solely dropping as soon as and at present having fun with a nine-game successful run throughout all competitions.
Saturday’s victory over Burnley was their eighth of the league marketing campaign, maintaining their fourth successive league clear sheet – now solely conceding three objectives within the Premier League.
Their summer time dealings have little question aided their success in current weeks, with Arteta now having a squad filled with unbelievable expertise, however extra importantly, energy in depth.
One of many gamers already on the Emirates earlier than the summer time switch window has since seen a decline in efficiency ranges regardless of the added high quality round him in North London.
Bukayo Saka’s decline in type at Arsenal in 2025/26
During the last couple of years, winger Bukayo Saka has firmly been Arsenal’s star man, with the Englishman typically tasked with offering the products inside the last third.
While he suffered a critical hamstring damage final marketing campaign, the 24-year-old nonetheless managed to attain a complete of 25 mixed objectives and assists in his 37 appearances throughout all competitions.
Nonetheless, this season is but to ignite for the Hale Finish academy graduate, with Saka at present unable to succeed in the excessive requirements that he’s set for himself on the Emirates.
In his first eight league outings in 2025/26, the England worldwide has solely registered two objectives and has but been capable of register any assists at current.
His current efficiency in opposition to Burnley noticed the ahead clean as soon as once more, which has seen his goalless run prolong to 3 video games in England’s top-flight.
Saka was additionally capable of register simply 34 touches of the ball throughout his 90-minute efficiency – a tally that was the bottom of any participant from both aspect at Turf Moor.
He additionally failed to finish a single dribble or create any probabilities, additional highlighting his lack of affect inside the last third regardless of the Gunners securing a 2-0 triumph.
The Arsenal participant who’s now changing into Arteta’s greatest participant
There’s no denying Saka will return to his greatest type within the coming months, however his current lack of affect has seen quite a few different Arsenal gamers take the headlines.
Declan Rice has been vastly influential from set items, typically being the person to offer the products from dead-ball conditions – as seen by his tally of three assists up to now this marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old turned goalscorer in opposition to the Clarets on Saturday afternoon, including to his tally and netting his second Premier League aim this time period.
Viktor Gyokeres and David Raya have each had impacts at reverse ends of the pitch, as seen by their respective tallies of 4 objectives and 7 clear sheets up to now.
While each the aforementioned trio have all made a optimistic affect of late, none have fairly matched the degrees produced by centre-back Gabriel, who has been an actual dominant drive at each ends.
The Brazilian centre-back, who joined from Lille in 2020, would little question have been signed to offer defensive high quality, however he’s now making a reputation for himself within the last third.
The 27-year-old has already achieved a staggering complete of 5 mixed objectives and assists in his first 15 outings in 2025/26, together with his newest coming in opposition to Burnley this weekend.
He rose highest on the again submit from Rice’s nook, earlier than nodding the ball throughout the face of aim and into the trail of Gyokeres, who tapped in from shut vary.
Nonetheless, Gabriel, is the primary man. He has additionally dominated on the again – subsequently taking part in a key function within the membership’s tally of seven league clear sheets throughout the early months of 2025/26.
He made 11 defensive contributions, which included 9 clearances and one deal with and an interception made, additional highlighting his potential with out the ball at his toes.
Gabriel – stats in opposition to Burnley | |
|---|---|
Statistics | Tally |
Minutes performed | 90 |
Touches | 72 |
Passes accomplished | 93% |
Defensive contributions | 11 |
Clearances | 9 |
Tackles made | 1 |
Interceptions made | 1 |
Duels received | 100% |
Stats through FotMob | |
The Brazilian additionally accomplished 93% of the passes he tried, while additionally registering a complete of 72 touches – numbers which make him the right modern-day centre-back.
His potential to be excellent on the again, coupled together with his great goalscoring menace, has made him one of the vital well-rounded abilities in world soccer at current.
If the Gunners are to finish their two-decade anticipate a Premier League title, Gabriel will seemingly be a key element to any of their success – particularly if he can preserve his present type. As Jamie Carragher put it, he is now the frontrunner to be named PFA Participant of the Yr & he is now “essentially the most influential participant within the Premier League.”
As for Saka, his lack of type will little question be a priority, but when he can return to his personal unbelievable heights, the membership’s likelihood of claiming title glory in Could will little question enhance tenfold.
