It’s time to admit that on form, Arsenal poster boy, Bukayo Saka is the best right-winger in the world, as his masterclass against Manchester United was a very reminder of this newfound reality.
Sure, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is perhaps the best player in the aforementioned position in general.
But going by the 2022/2023 season, Bukayo Saka has to claim the throne for being the best right-winger in the world.
Which box does Saka not tick?
That’s the million-dollar question.
Stats wise, Bukayo Saka has already made a case for himself as the best right winger in the world, as he is one of the 4 players in Europe’s top 5 leagues to register 7 goals and 7 assists, as per Squawka.
For context, the other candidates are Lionel Messi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Neymar, out of whom no single player plays on the right.
However, there’s more to the beautiful game than just stats.
In terms of impact as well, Saka, described as ‘strong’ by Cesc Fabregas is in a league of his own.
For the 21-year-old to arguably be the standout player in an Arsenal side that have gone from 5th to potential title winners is incredible enough.
But this is not just any Gunners side but a side that looks on course to become one of the greatest Premier League sides of all time.
Judging the £70,000-a-week wideman’s all-round displays as well, it’s impossible to find a flaw based on this season.
As Saka showed against one of the league’s most in-form left-backs in Shaw on Sunday, his dribbling is another level.
Combine that with the wonderkid’s stunning strike, which was just another demonstration of his quality in big games as well as his final ball makes him as complete as they come.
A brief look at his rivals for the title of ‘the best right-winger in the world’
Drawing up the 5 best and biggest candidates, it could include the likes of Mohamed Salah, Federico Valverde, Serge Gnabry, Riyad Mahrez and Ousmane Dembele.
While Mohamed Salah sits comfortably on the throne in general, even he would perhaps admit that he is undergoing a down season.
As for Riyad Mahrez, as excellent as he has post-World Cup, the same cannot be said for a chunk of his displays, stretching back to the backend of the previous campaign.
While Ousmane Dembele had a brilliant 2022, his flaws in terms of his limited off-the-ball game and underwhelming final ball remain evident to this very day.
Eliminating the aforementioned trio, Bukayo Saka’s biggest rivals for the title remain Serge Gnabry and Federico Valverde.
While Gnabry has been a class act all season, what goes against him is the fact that he hit top gear a number of weeks into the campaign.
Valverde could well have beaten Saka, if his form did not plummet after the World Cup.
Taking all factors into consideration, it should not even be a hot take that based on this season, Bukayo Saka is the best right-winger in the world.
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