Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield last Sunday was a massive statement and one that was made all the more impressive by the fact that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka did not start the game.
After their exertions last season and indeed during the World Cup, they joined pre-season just over a week ago and are yet to get back to full fitness.
Declan-Rice-Community-Shield
REUTERS/Chris Radburn
As a result, they will likely be eased into things at the start of the new season. For Rice, Arsenal now have cover, exceptional cover at that in the form of Bruno Guimaraes.
For Saka, however, the same problem remains; Noni Madueke is not good enough to replace him.
What this season holds for Bukayo Saka
Arsenal’s star boy would be the first person to tell you that his standard over the last year hasn’t been where it should be.
Last term was his worst in the famous red and white for overall output in five seasons. What has the problem been? Well, a torn hamstring in 2024/25 certainly has not helped matters.
Saka-Arsenal-Fulham
Since then, the winger looks as though he has lost some of his explosiveness. His decision making is still first class. His tactical intelligence is second to none.
Yet, part of what made him such an exciting player had been lost. What also hasn’t helped is a niggling achilles issue, something that hampered him big time at the World Cup.
Saka season by season stats
Season
Goals
Assists
2020/21
7
7
2021/22
12
7
2022/23
15
11
2023/24
20
14
2024/25
12
13
2025/26
11
7
The player insisted he was fit but he did not look it. Thomas Tuchel certainly wasn’t taking any chances.
With his work load not as high over the summer, there is a hope that Saka will get back his best in 2026/27. What should also help is that arrival of the aforementioned Guimaraes and the return to form of Martin Odegaard.
It was no surprise that with Odegaard suffering from a lack of form last term, that Saka was underwhelming too. Together, they have been two of Arsenal’s most reliable players during the Mikel Arteta era.
Martin-Odegaard-Havertz-Community-Shield
The Norwegian returned to form last weekend, scoring and playing the pre-assist for Kai Havertz’s goal. If he plays like that regularly in 2026/27, the Gunners’ number 7 will no doubt benefit significantly.
What will also help is a lack of reliance on the right flank. They need more from the left. Christos Tzolis is already providing that but Arteta needs more.
How Arsenal could sign another Bukayo Saka before the window closes
With Leandro Trossard no longer at the club and Gabriel Martinelli bound for the exit door, one of the biggest priorities for Arteta and Andrea Berta has been to sign replacements and upgrades on the left.
In Tzolis, it looks as though Arsenal have already found a player potentially capable of replicating Saka’s performances on the opposite side of the pitch.
Christos-Tzolis-Arsenal
The Greek has started his time at the club in flying fashion, registering two assists in the Community Shield. He now has 31 assists since the beginning of 2025/26 in competitive action. Not bad, eh?
Well, they could add to Tzolis by signing Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz. Arsenal’s interest in the Juventus star has been no secret this summer but after he signed a new deal in Turin, it looked to have eradicated the idea of making a move.
Alas, with the Gunners unable to secure the signings of Vinicius Junior and Morgan Rogers, they are looking at Yildiz again. A report from TEAMtalk outlines that Arsenal have held fresh talks with the player’s camp to understand his situation in Italy.
