Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and his teammates have showcased the club’s impressive recruitment in recent transfer windows, as the Gunners continue their push for Premier League glory.
Key to this resurgence have been centre-backs Gabriel and William Saliba, who joined Arsenal for a combined £54 million—now seen as a bargain given their immense impact under Mikel Arteta. Last season, the pair were central to Arsenal’s title challenge, helping the team maintain the best defensive record in the league by conceding just 29 goals. Despite their efforts, however, the club narrowly missed out on the title.
Gabriel has carried his excellent form into the 2024/25 season, already scoring twice—once in a crucial win against rivals Tottenham Hotspur and again versus reigning champions Manchester City. Both he and Saliba will be vital once more if Arsenal are to go a step further in their title ambitions. For the Gunners to succeed, both their defence and attack must perform consistently, allowing key players like Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to shine.
**Saka & Martinelli’s 2024/25 Season So Far**
Bukayo Saka, following a disappointing Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain, has begun the new season determined to elevate his game. The 23-year-old has delivered seven assists in his first seven Premier League matches, along with scoring twice, including in a recent victory over Southampton at the Emirates. Saka currently leads the team in combined goals and assists for the 2024/25 season, aiming to surpass his impressive tally of 25 goal contributions from last year.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli has faced criticism in recent months, with some questioning his place in the starting lineup. However, with both players crucial to Arsenal’s attacking setup, they will need to perform at their peak if the club is to finally secure the Premier League title.
He could only muster 20 touches, completing just nine passes throughout the encounter, whilst also giving possession away four times – looking wasteful in the final third.
You would undoubtedly expect higher quality from a player who currently earns a reported £265k-per-week, a huge chunk more than Saka and Martinelli, who only earn £195k-per-week and £180k-per-week respectively.
When combining his huge earnings alongside his big-money transfer fee, he’s already cost the club a whopping £72.5m, which works out to £3.8m per goal he’s scored during his time at the Emirates.
Given his huge earnings and lack of impact in recent times, Arteta could look to offload the Brazilian and identify a more effective number nine that could catapult his side to a league title this season.
- A consistent and clinical number nine is what the Spaniard has been crying out for in recent years, with Jesus evidently not the man to fill that void, potentially seeing the Spaniard brutally parting ways with the striker to allow for added investment in the final third
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