The 22-year-old English international has emerged as one of the most formidable attackers in global football, leveraging his agile footwork to confound adversaries. Saka has significantly boosted his productivity, notching a career-best 16 goals across various competitions this season.

Saka’s prowess has made him a marked figure on the field, prompting opponents to resort to any means necessary to neutralize him, even if it means bending the rules slightly. The Arsenal star, speaking to beIN Sports, acknowledged becoming a target: “When I go on the pitch I’m there to have fun and to enjoy. I would say I learned a lot over the last few seasons, when I started to get more and more tackles and defenders have started to enjoy more and more kicking me, I spoke to a few defenders and now I understand it. So for me, when I see a defender trying to smash me, as long as he doesn’t get me, I’m laughing or I’m smiling because I take it as a compliment.”

“I don’t think a defender would be calling for help or a defender would want to smash me if he didn’t see me as a threat. So, for me, if he tries to smash me and I get away with it, I just laugh and just get on with the game, because I guess it’s part of it. I’m not going to say names because I feel like those conversations should stay between me and them, but I’ve had a few conversations with opposition, even sometimes the players here, when I ask, ‘why are you guys like this? Why do you just want to smash players?’ They just explain to me so I understand and once I understand it’s easy for me to to get on with it more. As long as no one tackles me really, really badly [it’s okay] because obviously I don’t want to be injured or I don’t want to be playing through pain, I don’t think anyone wants that.”

While Saka aims to be a decisive force in the attacking third for both his club and country, he understands that defenders have a duty to contain him. He emphasized the importance of maintaining composure when provoked: “Naturally, defenders are simply doing their job—protecting their goal, while I’m striving to advance towards theirs. We’re all working in the best interests of our respective teams. Personally, I strive to keep my cool because I know losing my temper negatively impacts my performance. Hopefully, I haven’t given away any secrets to our opponents there.”

Arsenal, trailing 1-0 in their Champions League last-16 clash with Porto, will face a return leg at the Emirates Stadium on March 12. They will resume Premier League action next Monday against Sheffield United, with Mikel Arteta’s side still firmly in contention for the domestic title.

Bukayo Saka

This season he played in total 25 times for 2139 minutes for Premier League.

Bukayo Saka scored 13 goals for Arsenal. He procured 5 assists. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.

His team is currently 3rd in Premier League. In the last match Arsenal won 4-1 against Newcastle United. The next match in Premier League will be against Sheffield United.

Arsenal performance and stats

Arsenal is currently 3rd in the Premier League with 58 points.

In the last 26 games, it has won 18 times, drawn 4 times, and lost 4 times. In its last match, Arsenal won 4-1 against Newcastle United.​​

It has a positive goal difference after scoring 62 goals and conceding 23.​

Arsenal will play the next match in Premier League against Sheffield United on Saturday 2nd of March in Sheffield. The prediction is Arsenal winning the match.​