The Arsenal team’s rapid growth and development under Mikel Arteta has been phenomenal. With the absence of a title, almost everything has gone smoothly in recent years, from firing underperforming players to bringing in stars worth their money.
Identifying targets such as Ben White and Martin Odegaard has helped to strengthen the club’s attitude, but it is the Spaniard’s conviction in one young player that has truly transformed the game.
Indeed, the man’s current fortune surpasses that of Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba combined.
There’s no disputing it: since graduating from Arsenal’s academy, Bukayo Saka has emerged as a superstar, an unstoppable and vital member of the squad.
Football scout Jacek Kulig described the attacker as the “leader of Arsenal” when he was only 20 years old, and despite not wearing the armband, he has fully accepted that role.
Saka, who scored 14 goals and assisted 11 times in the Premier League last season, was anticipated to achieve higher heights this season, and he is on track to do so.
In 31 Premier League games, the number seven has already quadrupled his goal total from the previous season, adding four Champions League goals and assists.
To put it into perspective, the England international is the club’s leading scorer and assister in both the league and Europe, but how much is he worth on today’s market?
Martinelli and Saliba, like Saka, are two of the Premier League’s best young players, displaying the maturity and confidence of seasoned professionals.
The French defender in particular is superb, and he has created an unequaled partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes in 33 league appearances this season.
The Brazilian winger has also shown great promise, scoring 10 goals in 23 league appearances, albeit he has not reached the heights of his 15-goal 2022/23 season.
Nonetheless, despite the fact that the combo is extremely essential in terms of itself, they are far less valuable than Saka, as are few other players in England.
According to CIES, the 22-year-old is the Premier League’s joint-second most valuable player, trailing only Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, demonstrating his talent.
Furthermore, Martinelli and Saliba feature on the list, but their combined values are slightly lower than Saka.
What makes Arsenal’s “monster,” as journalist Mark White refers to him, such a precious commodity is not only his exceptional talent, but also the amount of potential he still possesses, which is a terrifying concept in and of itself.
Saka is not only one of England’s most talented players, but also “one of the best young players in the world,” according to colleague Thomas Partey. He is certainly an excellent player.
Arsenal has undoubtedly struck gold with Saka, and Arteta deserves a lot of credit for transforming the winger into one of Europe’s most terrifying players.