Well, that was about as perfect a weekend as Mikel Arteta and Arsenal could have hoped for.
Granted, Manchester City picked up another win, but Liverpool lost their fourth game on the bounce, and their first at home to Manchester United in nine years.
On top of that, the Gunners did their job, beating Fulham 1-0 away from home to extend their lead over the Reds to four points and put themselves in the driving seat for the Premier League title.
1
Arsenal
12
19
2
Man City
11
16
3
Bournemouth
3
15
4
Liverpool
3
15
5
Chelsea
7
14
6
Spurs
7
14
7
Sunderland
3
14
Moreover, while it wasn’t a vintage performance from Arsenal, they were ultimately comfortable against the West Londoners, and it was another stellar showing from Bukayo Saka, and another starter who’s starting to become a Saka-type star.
Saka's performance vs Fulham
Even though Arsenal were not at their best against Fulham, they never looked in any real danger of losing the game.
In fact, what should terrify their title rivals is that, for the second time in as many games, Arteta’s side managed to prevent their opposition from taking a single shot on target.
The last time the Gunners were able to do that was back in the 03/04 season, when they went on to win the league undefeated and on 90 points.
With that said, while Viktor Gyokeres continued to struggle up top, and Leandro Trossard didn’t do an awful lot aside from scoring, it was another strong showing from Saka on the right.
The Hale End legend was lively from the first minute, and while he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, he was far and away the Gunners’ most dangerous forward.
For example, in his 99 minutes of action, he amassed an expected assists figure of 0.55, took two shots, took 86 touches, completed six of seven dribbles, created one big chance, recovered the ball nine times and even won 13 of 20 ground duels.
It was an excellent showing from the stand-in captain, and one that once again showed that, when fit, he is the biggest and most important star in Arteta’s side.
Minutes
99′
Expected Assists
0.55
Total Shots
2
Key Passes
7
Dribbles (Successful)
7 (6)
Big Chances Created
1
Touches
86
Fouls Won
5
Ball Recoveries
9
Ground Duels (Won)
20 (13)
However, there were a few other starters who stood out, including one who is starting to become something of a Saka-type player.
Arsenal's new Saka-type star
It almost goes without saying at this point that William Saliba, David Raya, Declan Rice and Gabriel Magaehelse were once again excellent for Arsenal on the weekend.
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However, when it comes to someone starting to become something of a Saka-type player, they do not fall into that category.
Riccardo Calafiori, on the other hand, could.
Now, this comparison is obviously not based on their starting positions or output, as while the Italian has a goal and an assist in him, he is never going to match the numbers of the Englishman – few players can.
Instead, it’s primarily based on the fact that, as one analyst puts it, he ends up “everywhere” on the pitch and adds “pure chaos” to a system many labelled boring at points last season.
For example, the former Bologna star may well start games at left-back, but he spends much of his time roaming around the pitch, picking up space here and there, dragging opponents out of their positions and freeing up areas for his teammates to operate in.
This is the key reason he could be seen as a Saka-type player in the making, as opposition defenders and midfielders are starting to realise that he cannot be left alone to roam, as he will punish them.
This was on full display on Saturday, as not only was he marginally offside for his wonderful strike in the first half, but he was also consistently all over the place, popping up at right-wing, in the middle of the park, and up top.
As one analyst put it in the summer, “his positional IQ, carrying and overall technical quality are literally game-breaking.”
Finally, while this maverick approach to games helps create space for his teammates, it also makes matches more entertaining for fans, with journalist James Benge going as far as calling the Italian “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” on Saturday night.
Ultimately, they have their clear differences, but Calafiori’s mercurial ability to roam, pull opponents out of position and entertain the fans makes it rather easy to describe him as a Saka-type star.