With a quarter of the season already played, it would be fair to say that Arsenal are flying.
Mikel Arteta’s side had a slight stumble away to Liverpool a couple of months ago, but since then, they’ve been ruthless and looked far better than the defending Premier League champions.
In fact, following their win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, the North Londoners are now seven points clear of Arne Slot’s fragile-looking Reds, and appear destined to finally end their long title drought at the fourth time of asking.
The team are looking better and better with almost every passing gameweek, and one international in particular now has a shout for being one of the best in the world, just like Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal's world-class Saka
The Arsenal squad of today is almost entirely different from the one Arteta took control of over five years ago, and now has more than its fair share of world-class players, such as Saka.
For example, despite missing almost four months of action through injury last season, the Hale End icon still ended the campaign with 26 goal involvements in 37 appearances.
Moreover, he’s already missed some of this season and has still managed to score three goals in ten appearances.
However, while there is no denying the winger’s outrageous talent, it would be fair to say that he somewhat struggled to influence proceedings on Sunday afternoon.
The 24-year-old started his third game on the bounce against Crystal Palace, but ended up coming off the pitch 66 minutes in without a goal or assist, and unlike against Fulham, without looking all that dangerous.
Now, he did complete 100% of his dribbles, won two fouls and won 100% of his aerial duels, but he also amassed a combined expected goal plus assists figure of 0.03, failed to create a big chance and didn’t take a single shot on target.
However, such a middling performance shouldn’t worry fans, as Arteta later confirmed that the talismanic winger was unwell before the game and unable to train with the team in the build-up.
So, as long as he recovers, supporters should expect Saka to be back to his world-class best for the next game he starts, which can be said about one of the Englishman’s teammates as well.
The Arsenal star becoming one of the best in the world
As things stand, it wouldn’t be all that controversial to call the likes of Declan Rice, William Saliba and Gabriel Magehlese world-class.
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Yet, there are other players in Arsenal’s squad who are getting closer and closer to being classed in the same category, such as Jurrien Timber.
The Dutch defender joined the club from Ajax in the summer of 2023, but had his first full season playing in red and white last year after missing almost all of 23/24 with an ACL injury.
The 24-year-old was undoubtedly one of the club’s bright spots last year, as, alongside the rest of the defence, he mostly stuck to his job and made the club incredibly difficult to break down.
However, so far this season, he has taken his game to another level entirely and certainly has a shout at being one of the best right-backs in the entire Premier League.
After all, as things stand, the Utrecht-born “diamond,” as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has made 12 appearances for Arteta’s side, ten of which have been starts, and has therefore been a key part of a backline that has conceded no goals in the Champions League and just three in the league.
If such a run continues, “Ajax’s crown jewel,” as analyst Ben Mattinson once dubbed him, could help the North Londoners beat Chelsea’s record of just 15 goals conceded in a league season.
However, it’s not just his defending that has got even better this year, as the dynamic full-back has also become far more of an attacking threat.
His dribbling and close control have come on leaps and bounds, and while he’s not someone who is going to deliver a Trent Alexander-Arnold-esque cross, he can and does create chances for his teammates or ends up in the box himself.
Goals
0.26
Top 1%
Non-Penalty Goals
0.26
Top 1%
Shots on Target
0.64
Top 1%
Through Balls
1.03
Top 1%
SCA (Shot)
0.51
Top 1%
Passes into Penalty Area
1.79
Top 4%
GCA (Fouls Drawn)
0.13
Top 4%
Tackles (Att 3rd)
0.90
Top 4%
Penalty Kicks Won
0.13
Top 4%
xG: Expected Goals
0.23
Top 7%
npxG: Non-Penalty xG
0.23
Top 7%
Progressive Passes
6.41
Top 7%
Average Shot Distance
8.60
Top 7%
npxG/Shot
0.21
Top 7%
Pass Completion % (Medium)
88.8%
Top 7%
Shot-Creating Actions
3.59
Top 7%
SCA (Live-ball Pass)
2.56
Top 7%
SCA (Fouls Drawn)
0.26
Top 7%
GCA (Shot)
0.13
Top 7%
Tackles
3.72
Top 7%
Goals + Assists
0.38
Top 10%
For example, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% for full-backs in the league for goals scored, shots on target, through balls, the top 4% for passes into the penalty area and more, all per 90.
On top of that, he also has two goals and two assists to his name in just nine league games so far this season.
Ultimately, while it is still early on in the season, it’s becoming impossible to ignore the fact that Timber is currently playing like one of the best full-backs in the world.
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