Arsenal want to sign blockbuster Saka clone who has worked with Arteta before
![Arsenal want to sign blockbuster Saka clone who has worked with Arteta before Arsenal want to sign blockbuster Saka clone who has worked with Arteta before](https://i1.wp.com/static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bukayo-saka-euro-2024-england.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1)
Doubt him at your peril. Bukayo Saka is one of England's best talents right now. The Arsenal star has been very visible during Euro 2024.
Coming off a campaign in which the Gunners' number 7 scored 20 goals and registered 14 assists, expectations were high and although Gareth Southgate's men could not win the competition, Saka stood out.
He left the tournament with a solitary goal, which was important against Switzerland, but he was one of the few players in England's top flight to stand out.
Yes, Harry Kane scored three, but his reckless play leading the line played a major role in England's demise.
Of course, Saka also scored a crucial penalty in the shootout against the Swiss and proved to be a nuisance for many left-backs throughout the tournament.
What's next? A well-deserved and long break. Saka hasn't stopped since this time last year. However, there is a problem.
Arsenal are eyeing competition for Saka in the transfer market
Last year, Saka played a lot of football for someone who is only 22 years old. In 2023/24 the winner played 47 times and added the highest number of appearances (7) at the Euros to his tally.
Minutes played: Arsenal players in 2023/24 |
|
---|---|
The player |
Minutes played |
1. William Saliba |
4,502 |
2. Gabriel |
4,331 |
3. Declan Rice |
4,274 |
4. Ben White |
4,086 |
5. Martin Odegaard |
4,053 |
6. Bukayo Saka |
3,865 |
7. Kai Havertz |
3,827 |
8. David Raya |
3,720 |
Data via Transfermarkt. |
As a result, signing someone who can easily take pressure and rely on him in that position on the field will be important.
Perhaps it explains the links to Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane. According to reports in Spain, Edu and Co are planning to search for the German player with the aim of closing the gap in Sane's team, Manchester City.
Arsenal are said to be 'looking' at the striker and are 'willing' to complete a move if he leaves Bavaria this summer.
How Sane compares to Saka
Few players outside of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal squad know more than Sane. He worked with him at Manchester City when the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola's number two and thanks to their time together, the German holds the Gunners boss in high esteem.
Speaking about that period in his career, when Sane scored 39 goals and provided 43 assists in 135 games for City, the former man said: “It was great fun. I was happy to work with him because he really helped me at City. .We had many talks individually about how I can improve, my strengths, my weaknesses, we worked a lot.
“I made a lot of progress under him, he gave me that. I still keep that in my mind and I put it in my game – posture, behavior in certain positions. Thank you.”
So, if a move was on the table, it wouldn't take much to persuade him to return to England.
But, why would it be a good signing? Well, the “explosive” Sane – as described by commentator Raj Chohan, offers very similar qualities to Saka. Playing mainly on the right, he likes to go to his man, is incredibly creative and prides himself on the ability to cut inside on his strong left foot and shoot. Quality is a trademark of both of you.
Saka vs Sane (2023/24) |
||
---|---|---|
Mathematics (in 90 minutes) |
Saka |
Sane |
Goals |
0.49 |
0.34 |
It helps |
0.28 |
0.46 |
Shots |
3.15 |
3.08 |
Key passes |
2.81 |
3.04 |
Continuous passes |
3.89 |
4.77 |
Actions to create a gun |
5.80 |
6.03 |
Successful adoption |
1.51 |
3.92 |
It carries |
37.7 |
39.5 |
Continuous carriers |
4.78 |
5.11 |
The discovery of the ball |
4.78 |
4.09 |
Statistics with FBRef. |
Care is considered continuous if the ball is moved towards a player's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or into the penalty area.
As we can see in the table above, despite Saka's high level of performance last season, it is Sane who introduces him, but slowly, in many areas.
Impressively, it is the latter who is superior when it comes to taking steps but in other aspects, especially key passes, shots and progressive carries, there is not much that separates the two electric talents.
Bayern's winner was behind in terms of goals last season, scoring ten, but provided 13 assists, just one behind Saka, meaning their creative space is not that different.
So, if Arteta is looking for someone to provide competition for Saka next season, Sane ticks all the boxes. He is close enough to the legend of Arsenal's talisman.
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