Over the international break, Arsenal‘s Bukayo Saka rediscovered some of his swagger.
This has not been a poor season for the winger, but it felt like he needed a confidence boost. Resuming his role as England’s leading right winger, he scored two goals in that 7-0 thrashing of Croatia.
In the process, he surpassed David Beckham’s tally of England goals. Saka might not be in legendary territory just yet but his performances for club and country over many years now have been mightily consistent.
However, sadly for those back at the Emirates and despite those two goals on international duty, the number 7 appears to be suffering a bit in the final third.
The biggest problem with Bukayo Saka this season
Over the last two years, Saka has still been Arsenal’s main man. Few can turn it on in the final third as he can.
However, after a nasty hamstring injury in 2024/25, he’s not quite been the same. The Englishman still scored 11 times and supplied seven assists last term, but the goals didn’t quite flow as they had previously.
Indeed, this was his worst campaign in front of goal for five years. He’s lost some of the explosive pace and power that made him such a tricky player to contain which hasn’t helped, but as this season has proven, the 25-year-old is not good enough in front of goal.
Saka is at the point of his career now where he should be tallying up his best-ever figures, not getting worse.
It’s been a strange season so far for the Hale Ender. In the early weeks of 2026/27, he looked as though he was getting back to his best. He scored against Coventry City and Aston Villa before netting a penalty away at Sunderland.
Yet, besides that, his finishing has been incredibly poor. He missed a gilt-edged chance from a matter of yards out in the Champions League against Napoli, failed to score a one-on-one at Brighton on the counter-attack and was again found wanting in that regard on Saturday lunchtime versus Leeds.
In the dying embers of the game, Saka was sent clean through on goal and should have found the net. In years gone by, he would have rounded James Trafford and scored. Instead, he stuck the ball at his England colleague and the chance went begging.
Moments like that simply have to be converted if the winger is to cement himself as one of the best wingers in the world.
How Arsenal can replace Saka long-term
Since his breakthrough, Arsenal have never sought to replace Saka. Instead, it took them an age to find the necessary back-up.
When Saka suffered a hamstring tear in 2024/25, it was Ethan Nwaneri who profited. While he is now out on loan at Borussia Dortmund, the spritely teenager scored nine goals during his debut season at senior level.
A year later, it was Max Dowman breaking through, even if Noni Madueke made it hard for him to do so.
Madueke’s addition is still questionable, but at least Mikel Arteta has now found another use for him. The winger started on the left on Saturday and caught the eye.
|
Madueke vs Leeds |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
90 |
|
Touches |
59 |
|
Accurate passes |
33/39 (85%) |
|
Key passes |
4 |
|
Accurate crosses |
5/6 |
|
Successful dribbles |
2 |
|
Progressive carries |
11 |
|
Possession lost |
12x |
|
Shots |
3 |
|
Shots on target |
0 |
|
Ground duels won |
2/5 |
|
Aerial duels won |
1/1 |
As a result, that may well open up more minutes for Dowman on the right, it may well open up minutes for others as well.
Two players who will be looking to take advantage of that in the forthcoming years are Edwin Quintero and Andria Bartishvili.
Both 17 years of age, Arsenal have sealed pre-contract agreements to sign the teenage duo in 2027. Quintero will be arriving with twin brother Holger next summer and alongside them, Bartishvili will also officially become a Gunner.
The Quinteros first signed in the latter stages of 2025 but a deal for Bartishvili, a Georgian wonderkid, is far more recent. Last month Arsenal confirmed they had reached an agreement to bring him to the club.
So, what’s he all about? Well, he’s one of the most electric young forwards in European football right now and he’s a player who’s primed to take on that historic number 7 shirt if all goes well.
Diminutive in stature, the youngster may not be cut out for the rigours of the Premier League just yet but his technical attributes are simply outstanding. Naturally, he has already been compared to fellow Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
He’s fleet-footed; he’s incredibly quick and strong in tight spaces. He’s a real livewire on the wing, much like Saka. He’s always looking to drive forward, always looking to make something happen.
Yet, Bartishvili is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, and as far as his play style is concerned, the teen has been compared to one of the best to ever do it.
Speaking to Football.London, Georgian football expert Saba Sapanadze said: “Andria likes to operate more centrally, behind the striker, and one of his biggest strengths is his ability to break through midfield from central areas. In terms of style, I’d compare him more to Kevin De Bruyne.”
How’s he getting on this season? Well, much like Saka, Bartishvili has broken through at a very young age. He’s already played 44 games at senior level. Currently on loan at Iberia in his homeland, the teen has two goals and three assists this season in 19 matches.
It’s not a jaw-dropping tally but at that age, it doesn’t need to be. For now, the focus is on development, on getting him ready to make an impact at Arsenal.
While he will initially play youth team football for the Gunners, expect him to get regular opportunities in Arteta’s first team. Based on the comparisons and attributes, this is a player who could take on the mantle from either Saka or even skipper Martin Odegaard in the future.