Viktor Gyokeres has a 100 per cent record from the penalty spot for Arsenal and is very clinical from that position. That's probably why Declan Rice rates him so highly from the penalty spot. In an interview with The Sun, Rice was asked to name the best Arsenal player, past or present, for different criteria. When asked about penalties, he replied: 'I'm going to go with Viktor. He has got a 100 per cent record.'
Saka received treatment on the picture following Xavi Simons falling awkwardly on him, and immediately looked to the bench. He was soon replaced by Noni Madueke, who played the remainder of stoppage-time.
Arsenal have scored 19 goals from corners in all competitions this season. Much of the credit for that goes to their primary corner takers, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Taking corners from the left with his right foot, Rice has created eight goals, compared with five from Saka, who offers left-foot deliveries from the right. The vast majority of Arsenal's corners (81%) are in-swinging, and statistically more likely to lead to a goal than out-swinging deliveries.
The endless possibilities, the sky being the limit: wonderkids bring our natural footballing instincts to dream big against all established wisdom and experience, and end up disappointed. With this in mind, and with Arsenal seemingly stacked with generational golden boys in recent seasons, it's odd now to look back at how Bukayo Saka burst onto the scene. There was little fanfare.
His underlying numbers back it up too - an XGI per 90 of 0.64 speaks to constant involvement. He may not be firing double-digit hauls weekly, but his reliability makes him a steady, captaincy-safe pick. In a season full of chaos and rotation, consistency is gold - and Saka delivers it week after week. Liverpool at home might not scream "buy", but they've been vulnerable to chances from the right-wing channel, which suits Saka perfectly.
Arsenal's star winger, Bukayo Saka, has offered a surprising and glowing tribute to former teammate Mesut Ozil, naming the German playmaker as the best player he has ever played alongside. The endorsement from the 24-year-old, who has shared the pitch with the likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, for England, underscores the unique and undeniable genius of the retired midfielder.
I would love that, he said. From everything that I know, again he's a player that is extremely happy and proud to be [here] and to have the role that he has in the football club. He's been developing in a natural way like they always do. Everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us so hopefully we can do it.
