Saka named MOTM, becomes first player in Europe’s top five leagues to provide 10 league assists this season

Bukayo Saka has been named the Man of the Match in Arsenal’s 5-2 demolition of demolition of West Ham at the London stadium on Saturday evening.

The 23-year-old scored once, bagged two assists, had one shot on target, created two big chances, made four key passes and made two successful dribbles.

His two assists in the game took his total to 10 this season and thus becomes the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to provide 10 league assists this season and it has taken the 23 year just 12 appearances to do that.

He provided Gabriel with the assist for the Gunners’ first goal via a corner kick on 10 minutes

Saka also provided Leandro Trossard with the assist on 27 minutes to double Arsenal’s advantage before the provider turned goalscorer, netting the Gunners’ fifth goal via the penalty spot in first half added time.

Saka also became the fourth player in the Premier League to bag 10 assists in the first 13 Premier League games this term after Cesc Fàbregas in 2014-15 (12), Mesut Özil in 2015-16 (12), and Harry Kane in 2020-21 (11) have reached 10 assists in fewer of a team’s games from the start of a season in the competition.

He has now been involved in 21 goals in his last 25 London derby matches in the Premier League (9 goals, 13 assists), including five in his last six against West Ham.

Overall he has 28 goal involvements in such matches (13 goals, 15 assists), with only four players registering more for Arsenal (Thierry Henry 55, Dennis Bergkamp 38, Robin van Persie 33, Ian Wright 32).

Saka is one of only two players (Mohammed Salah) who have scored and assisted in four different Premier League games this season.

He is also one of only two players (Mohammed Salah) who have been directly involved in 15+ Premier League goals this season.