On a private stage, this has been considered one of Bukayo Saka‘s hardest seasons at Arsenal, if not his hardest.
Whereas he was cruelly robbed of plenty of soccer final time period proudly owning to a long-term hamstring harm, this marketing campaign he has additionally struggled with health.
It is also been a wrestle for kind. Saka’s objective in opposition to Fulham within the 3-0 win on Saturday was simply his third because the early levels of December. It was the primary time in 17 months that he had scored and assisted in the identical Premier League recreation.
But, with the title on the road, the winger is coming alive at simply the proper time. He is hitting kind simply when it issues. It is enormous for the membership’s probabilities of successful the league and Champions League.
That mentioned, heading into the summer time, one of many duties is to discover a new Saka, one who can play on the left wing.
Arsenal focusing on big-money winger signing
One of many greatest points dealing with the Gunners this season has been their lack of efficiency in assault. Viktor Gyokeres might have scored 21 targets in all competitions, however he has not obtained a lot assist from the broad gamers, significantly on the left.
It is why Andrea Berta and Co should push laborious for the signing of a brand new winger. Happily, it appears like fairly a number of could possibly be in the marketplace.
Anthony Gordon is reportedly a major goal however they face intense competitors from Bayern Munich for his signature. The possibility to play overseas and basically be assured the Bundesliga title will little question enchantment to him.
One other goal is PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, though that one would appear unlikely given his kind. The Georgian has 18 targets this season, ten of which have are available in 14 Champions League matches. He is elite.
His kind does, nevertheless, open a possibility to prise away one other of PSG’s thrilling forwards, Bradley Barcola.
That is in keeping with a report from TEAMtalk, who word that with contract talks stalling within the French capital, Barcola’s representatives are talking to varied golf equipment round Europe in a bid to resolve his future.
Certainly, the participant’s camp have already spoken with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to verify that he could possibly be out there this summer time.
That mentioned, it is famous that Liverpool are probably the most attentive to the scenario, understanding they want a substitute for each Mohamed Salah and the injury-stricken Hugo Ekitike.
Why Barcola could possibly be one other Saka for Arsenal
The largest precedence for Arsenal this summer time should be discovering a left winger model of Saka. In spite of everything, the most important drawback place for Mikel Arteta in 2025/26 has been the left flank.
Gabriel Martinelli has dazzled within the cup competitions, a lot so that he’s Arsenal’s second-top scorer this season with 11 targets. That mentioned, solely a type of strikes has come within the Premier League.
As for Leandro Trossard, he has not scored in his final 23 matches, but to seek out the online in 2026. He did return to kind final weekend, helping Gyokeres’ second objective and finishing a career-best determine of six dribbles.
Nevertheless, it ought to be the tip of the street for each of them on the Emirates, significantly Trossard. In Barcola, they might signal a colossal improve, somebody who might act as their new Saka, albeit from the opposing flank.
En path to Champions League glory final time period, the 23-year-old scored 21 targets and provided an equal variety of assists throughout all competitions. These are terribly good numbers, elite numbers.
Barcola’s output has slowed in 2025/26, scoring 12 and helping seven, however he is performed extra restricted minutes, therefore his potential availability.
Celebrated as “probably the greatest wingers on the planet” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, the Frenchman is a really game-changing expertise and could possibly be simply the participant Arsenal are on the lookout for of their assault.
|
Saka vs Barcola in 2025/26 – league stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90 minutes) |
Saka |
Barcola |
|
Objectives |
0.4 |
0.6 |
|
Photographs |
1.9 |
2.8 |
|
Shot accuracy |
62% |
60% |
|
Assists |
0.2 |
0.1 |
|
Possibilities created |
2.6 |
2.0 |
|
Move accuracy |
77% |
84% |
|
Take-ons accomplished |
2.2 |
2.0 |
|
Take-on success |
52% |
43% |
|
Fouls gained |
2.3 |
0.6 |
|
Duels gained |
7.0 |
4.6 |
Fleet-footed like Saka, he leaves opposition defenders terrified when he will get operating at them. He is a tough buyer to cope with and that is one thing Arteta merely hasn’t had from the left flank this time period.
Each elite in possession of the ball, they rank very intently for progressive carries. In Europe’s prime 5 leagues, Arsenal’s quantity 7 ranks inside the very best 15% of wingers in Europe for that metric. Barcola ranks among the many greatest 13%.
They’re additionally intently ranked for key passes in 2025/26. Saka sits among the many prime 3% of wingers for that stat, whereas PSG’s French celebrity is among the many prime 6%.
For too lengthy now, Arsenal have wanted a real world-class left winger. They’ve Saka on the proper and in Barcola on the left, it might create a really terrifying ahead dynamic.
Saka’s dream switch: Arsenal in talks to signal a “future England captain”
Arsenal might spend huge on signing an England worldwide this summer time.

