Bukayo Saka is closing in on a piece of Arsenal history.
The 24-year-old winger is set to return to the starting lineup when Arsenal visit Newcastle United on Sunday, and one key contribution could put his name alongside some of the club’s greatest players.
Saka has already built an impressive record for someone still in his mid-twenties. In 198 Premier League appearances, he has scored 54 goals and supplied 45 assists.
That puts him on 99 direct goal involvements — just one short of the 100 mark.
If he scores or assists at St. James’ Park, Saka will become only the eighth Arsenal player to reach that milestone in the Premier League.
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Who is the youngest Arsenal player to reach 100 goal involvements?
The names ahead of him read like a who’s who of Arsenal royalty: Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie, Ian Wright, Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, and Robert Pires.
Reaching 100 would also make Saka the second-youngest Gunner to achieve the feat, behind only Fabregas, who did it at 23.
For added spice, Saka already enjoys facing Newcastle, with three goals in ten league meetings.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised his star winger’s consistency before the trip north. “100, 101 and 102, hopefully on Sunday! I think that’s in less than 200 games as well, which is a really impressive record,” Arteta said.
“When we talk about consistency of attacking players, creative players, that’s very rare to find. And at his age especially, more. But that’s the talent that we have.”
Saka’s recent hamstring injury is apparently behind him after he came through midweek cup action without trouble. Arsenal will need his spark as they continue their chase of league leaders Liverpool.
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