One game down, 37 remaining. Arsenal will have tougher tests ahead, but they put newly-promoted Coventry City to the sword in the Premier League curtain-raiser.
Mikel Arteta‘s side will keep it steady, but there’s no question that rivals will have swallowed a lump in their throats after such an imperious display. The Gunners have a spring in their step, alright, and the belief that, yes, they will defend their title and consolidate their position as the greatest English side of the 20s.
A long way to go, but opponents must be scared – not least because Bukayo Saka produced a consummate performance against Frank Lampard’s side, showing that he can return to world-class form this season.
How Bukayo Saka is getting back to his best
At the World Cup, Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions were forced to perform without Saka taking centre-stage. The 24-year-old played a bit-part role, and England suffered because of it.
|
Bukayo Saka – Premier League Career by Season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Apps |
Goals + Assists |
|
25/26 |
31 |
7 + 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 |
The 24-year-old winger flattered to deceive last season. By his own lofty standards. He still played a core role for a title-winning Gunners side, but only scored seven times across the campaign. His underlying data still spoke of his eliteness, though.
But Saka’s hat-trick over France in the World Cup third-place play-off illustrated his quality, and indeed, he has picked up from where he left off over the summer, netting as Arsenal blew Coventry away.
The Londoners will only go from strength to strength with a fit and firing Saka on the right wing, so just imagine what might happen if Arteta adds a first-class centre-forward into the mix.
Arsenal in ongoing talks to sign new striker
Viktor Gyokeres scored 21 goals in all competitions for Arsenal last season, but his overall play leaves a lot to be desired. Kai Havertz may play with more regularity this season, but Arteta could yet pursue a new attacking option before the market closes.
Well, according to Foot Mercato over in France, Arsenal are determined to sign Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray before the end of the transfer window, though the striker’s €20m yearly salary (equating to £326k per week) could prove prohibitive.
The 27-year-old has been in fine fettle over the past few years, scoring 63 goals and supplying 17 assists across only 76 matches for the Turkish superpower.
Across just two Super Lig games to start the 2026/27 campaign, the Nigerian forward has scored four goals and supplied an assist. Described as “one of the best strikers in the world” by compatriot Peter Etebo, Arsenal could do a lot worse.
If Saka maintains his new-found form, having created two chances and won 75% of his duels against Coventry, the Arsenal could win the Premier League title and challenge for the Champions League once again. Place Osimhen into the mix, and they might just be unstoppable.
The 6 foot 1 forward is a man for the big moments, and in that, he could thrive with Saka. In the Champions League last season, he scored seven goals across ten outings, but his underlying data emphasises his elite quality, having won 80% of his dribbles and won 5.3 duels per game.
Like Saka, he transcends his positional role. Osimhen is the real deal, alright, and he would terrorise the Premier League alongside Saka.
If Arsenal sign Osimhen, they might have to forgo their bid to sign a marquee left-sided forward this summer. But Christos Tzolis is already looking a steal at £35m from Club Brugge, and this could prove a frontline for the ages.