Arsenal are the strongest team in the land.
Mikel Arteta has worked tirelessly as an underdog throughout the later phase of the ‘CityPool’ era, and while the Gunners have yet to secure the Premier League title despite finishing runners-up for three successive years, that looks set to change.
This is surely their year. Manchester City and Aston Villa are struggling for consistency at the moment, and Arsenal hold a six-point advantage at the top of the table, 23 matches down. That aside, the Emirates Stadium side just look like the strongest team in the division, the most coherent and organised, the steeliest at the back.
There are not many weaknesses at N5, but it’s pretty easy to pin down the area in need of the most attention, with Viktor Gyokeres’ struggles at number nine leading to renewed interest in Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.
The latest on Julian Alvarez to Arsenal
Alvarez is one of the best strikers in the world. He played a part in quadruple-winning success at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, but an £81m move to Spain has established the Argentina international as a sensation.
Indeed, he’s scored 40 goals and provided 13 assists since joining Diego Simeone’s side a year-and-a-half ago, praised for his “world-class” finishing and athleticism by journalist Owuraku Ampofo.
Small wonder that Arteta and Arsenal technical director Andrea Berta have a vested interest.
It’s been reported inside the last week that the Londoners are preparing a bid for the £80m-rated goalscorer, whose name could be well-worn by the time the rumour mill makes it through to the summer window.
Arsenal’s frontline is their weakest third; they will likely search for a left-sided winger in the not-too-distant future.
However, Alvarez wouldn’t arrive and take the baton as Arsenal’s star man up front, not when there’s a certain player plying his trade under Arteta’s management.
The Arsenal star worth even more than Alvarez
Arsenal are riding the crest of a wave this season. They are talented and they are a product of Arteta’s tactics and vision being implemented over a long process.
Of course, it’s helped that Bukayo Saka‘s emergence from the academy has been synonymous with the wider growth of the London club.
The 23-year-old is already one of the senior faces at the outfit, six games away from his 300th appearance, 77 goals and 78 assists under his belt since his Hale End graduation.
There’s no question that Saka hasn’t been at his rip-roaring best this season; his output and sharpness in the final third haven’t been at their typical strength.
|
Bukayo Saka – Premier League Career by Season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Apps |
Goals + Assists |
|
25/26 |
21 |
4 + 5 |
|
24/25 |
25 |
6 + 11 |
|
23/24 |
35 |
16 + 12 |
|
22/23 |
38 |
14 + 12 |
|
21/22 |
38 |
11 + 7 |
|
20/21 |
32 |
5 + 4 |
|
19/20 |
26 |
1 + 5 |
|
18/19 |
1 |
0 + 0 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
||
But this is still one of the finest players in Europe, the poster boy of a project that is seemingly headed toward silverware. Hailed as a “superstar” by pundit Tim Sherwood, Saka is creating 2.1 chances and winning 5.7 duels per match, so influential down the right flank.
He’s one-of-a-kind, and in this, Saka is irreplaceable, someone who would benefit from a sharp new forward recruit such as Alvarez but still stand proud as the main man.
Indeed, his market value reflects this. According to Transfermarkt, he is valued at £113m, placing him some distance above the figure needed for Alvarez’s signature.
For the Three Lions man to remain a starring member of a side moving inexorably toward the Premier League title while at a low ebb is simply evidence of his eliteness, and there’s no question that he is not only the club’s talisman but one of the great forwards of his generation.
Watch out Madueke: The next Saka has already agreed to sign for Arsenal
Noni Madueke scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal last weekend.
