How returning Bukayo Saka can breathe life into Arsenal attack ahead of Real Madrid UEFA Champions League clash
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Published 01/04/2025 at 13:43 GMT+1
Arsenal have watched their season unravel in recent months as a Premier League title challenge looks to have hit a dead end. Injuries have played their part, including that to Bukayo Saka. But with the England winner set to return for the final stretch of the campaign, his impact could help The Gunners finish strong and boost their hopes when they face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Saka is 'ready to go' against Fulham - Arteta
Video credit: SNTV
After more than three months on the sidelines, Bukayo Saka is ready to return to action for Arsenal.
Ahead of The Gunners’ Premier League clash with Fulham, manager Mikel Arteta relayed the news everyone concerned with the club had been waiting for: Saka is ready to go!
The England winger went down with a hamstring injury on December 21 during Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace and ultimately required surgery, keeping him out of action for several weeks.
In the time Saka has been out, Arteta has seen his side’s title challenge all but evaporate and exit both the Carabao and FA Cups.
Arsenal’s last shot at glory this campaign is the UEFA Champions League but they face the daunting prospect of holders and 15-time winners Real Madrid over two legs, the second of which will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The return of Saka will hopefully provide a necessary spark to a team that has seen their season stutter in the pursuit for honours and a first piece of meaningful silverware since 2020.
Title push derailed
Saka’s last match came in Arsenal’s 5-1 trashing away at Crystal Palace as he limped off injured in the first half.
Victory for Arteta’s side that day moved them within three points of the Premier League summit, albeit with Liverpool having played two games fewer at that stage of the season.
Ahead of The Gunners welcoming Fulham to Emirates Stadium, they sit some 12 points back on the rampant Reds.
Barring a minor miracle, a second-place finish is the best they can hope for from the campaign with nine games remaining.
Premier League table when Saka got injured
| Played | Points | |
| 1. Liverpool | 15 | 36 |
| 2. Chelsea | 16 | 34 |
| 3. Arsenal | 17 | 33 |
Premier League table as of April 1
| Played | Points | |
| 1. Liverpool | 29 | 70 |
| 2. Arsenal | 29 | 58 |
| 3. Nottingham Forest | 29 | 54 |
Without Saka in the team, Arsenal's win percentage in the league has dropped, as has their average points per game.
This drop has allowed Liverpool to capitalise, with Arsenal even potentially looking over their shoulders to the likes of Nottingham Forest behind them.
| PL 24-25 Arsenal | With Saka | Without Saka |
| Games | 16 | 13 |
| Wins | 9 | 7 |
| Draws | 6 | 4 |
| Lost | 1 | 2 |
| Win Percent | 56.3 | 53.9 |
| Points Per Game | 2.1 | 1.9 |
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Goal-shy Gunners
One of the big narratives surrounding Arsenal this season has been a perceived lack of attacking threat, not least impacted by Saka’s absence.
Since his injury, the team’s overall output has dropped with their average goals per game in the league down by 0.6.
Their xG is also down, as are big chances, shots on target, and a number of other attacking metrics.
| PL 24-25 Arsenal | With Saka | Without Saka | ||
| Total | Per Game | Total | Per Game | |
| Goals For | 34 | 2.1 | 19 | 1.5 |
| xG | 29.7 | 1.9 | 16 | 1.2 |
| Big Chance Total | 55 | 3.4 | 31 | 2.4 |
| Touches in the Opp Box | 608 | 38 | 421 | 32.4 |
| Total Shots | 234 | 14.6 | 168 | 12.9 |
| Shots on Target | 88 | 5.5 | 52 | 4 |
| Shot Conversion % | 14.5 | - | 11.3 | - |
This can also be seen across all competitions, with these issues in attack at least partly the reason for the domestic cup exits to Newcastle and Manchester United, respectively.
The calls for an additional striker have been widespread, especially considering Saka's injury came before the January transfer window.
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| All Comps 24-25 Arsenal | With Saka | Without Saka | ||
| Total | Per Game | Total | Per Game | |
| Goals For | 55 | 2.3 | 35 | 1.7 |
| xG | 45.9 | 1.9 | 32.7 | 1.6 |
| Big Chance Total | 84 | 3.5 | 65 | 3.1 |
| Touches in the Opp Box | 890 | 37.1 | 726 | 34.6 |
| Total Shots | 346 | 14.4 | 298 | 14.2 |
| Shots on Target | 143 | 6.0 | 95 | 4.5 |
| Shot Conversion % | 15.9 | - | 11.7 | - |
Renewed hope with Madrid on the horizon
In Europe, however, the picture is a little better, and while this might be partially skewed by the remarkable 7-1 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven, the signs are perhaps encouraging ahead of the showdown with Madrid, coinciding with a fit Saka back in the side.
| UEFA Champions League 24-25 Arsenal | With Saka | Without Saka | ||
| Total | PG | Total | PG | |
| Goals For | 10 | 2.0 | 15 | 3.0 |
| xG | 9.6 | 1.9 | 9.6 | 1.9 |
| Big Chance Total | 17 | 3.4 | 21 | 4.2 |
| Touches in the Opp Box | 138 | 27.6 | 164 | 32.8 |
| Total Shots | 61 | 12.2 | 70 | 14.0 |
| Shots on Target | 28 | 5.6 | 30 | 6.0 |
| Shot Conversion % | 16.4 | - | 21.4 | - |
After a run of three winless games in the league before beating Chelsea last time out, Arteta and Arsenal will be hoping Saka’s return can lead to an upturn in form in their remaining matches, and while catching Liverpool seems unlikely, a strong finish can hopefully provide a strong platform for next season’s campaign.
Highlighting how important Saka is to Arsenal, at the time of his injury, he led the league for assists with ten. Despite missing 13 matches, he still currently sits second in that category behind Mohamed Salah – and it is the same story as far as big chances created are concerned.
| PL 24-25 | Saka | Rank on 21st Dec | Present Rank |
| Minutes Played | 1275 | 56th | 196th |
| Goals+Assists | 15 | 3rd | 13th |
| Goals | 5 | T-19th | T-47th |
| Assists | 10 | 1st | T-2nd |
| xG | 4.19 | 28th | 59th |
| xA | 5.62 | 1st | 5th |
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In Europe, Saka had four goals and two assists in five matches before his injury.
The 23-year-old scored against Paris Saint-Germain, Sporting and bagged a double against Monaco as well as assists against the latter two.
Having won four out of five games in his absence, Arsenal will be hoping Saka's return will boost their chances against Madrid in the competition and possibly beyond.
| UEFA Champions League 24-25 | Saka | Rank on 21st Dec | Present Rank |
| Minutes Played | 432 | 167th | 344th |
| Goals+Assists | 6 | T-5th | T-20th |
| Goals | 4 | T-9th | T-21st |
| Assists | 2 | T-12th | T-30th |
| xG | 1.74 | 41st | T-85th |
| xA | 1.24 | T-35th | T-85th |
All stats courtesy of Opta
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