Bukayo Saka is Arsenal‘s talisman and his electrifying performance in the 5-0 thrashing of Burnley only cements that status.

With two goals and an unrelenting presence on the pitch, Saka’s stats tell the story of a player at the top of his game while still being on the rise.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Arsenal FC at Turf Moor on February 17, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Arsenal FC at Turf Moor on February 17, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka delivered a masterclass against Burnley, earning a FotMob rating of 8.9. In his 69 minutes on the pitch, he demonstrated his clinical finishing with two goals from three shots. He showed pinpoint accuracy, keeping two out of two shots on target – truly making every chance count.

His expected goals statistics (xG of 0.91 and xGOT of 1.23) underscore his efficiency. While not directly assisting on any other goals, his expected assists (xA) value of 0.24 reveals his capacity to set up scoring opportunities for teammates.

Beyond his attacking contributions, Saka showcased a tireless engine and tenacity during defensive work. He logged five defensive actions and made four recoveries, exhibiting his work rate for the full time he was on the pitch. He won two tackles with a perfect 100% rate. His two dribbles further added a level of danger throughout the match. Even on the offensive side, he didn’t neglect defensive duties; though fouled twice, he kept his discipline.

While his passing accuracy of 77% (24 of 31 passes) is solid, a closer look reveals areas for improvement: his low rate of accurate crosses (0 for 3), for example. His dribbling success rate of 50% also suggests that in future matches, refinement of his take-on skills could result in even more devastating attacking forays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMV1pR2Rkrg

Overall, Saka’s performance against Burnley underscores his status as a key weapon in Arsenal‘s title charge. His ability to find the back of the net, tireless work rate, and involvement across the pitch solidify his value to the club. Even while there’s some room for fine-tuning in passing and dribbling, Saka remains a crucial figure in Arsenal‘s exciting campaign.

Bukayo Saka continues to dazzle as Arsenal‘s attacking dynamo, and his brace against Burnley sparked lively debates on social media platforms. Yet, among the plaudits and goal breakdowns, it wasn’t just his skills generating attention – it was his fresh haircut.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 07, 2024 in London, England. Arsenal wear an all-white kit at home, for the first time in the club's history, in support of the 'No More Red' campaign against knife crime and youth violence. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 07, 2024 in London, England. Arsenal wear an all-white kit at home, for the first time in the club’s history, in support of the ‘No More Red’ campaign against knife crime and youth violence. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“Thank goodness he got rid of that hair,” declared one fan, with many echoing variations on the sentiment. “Arteta should bring out the scissors if anyone thinks of dyeing their hair again,” joked another.

Beyond the hair, belief grows

Of course, focus quickly shifted back to Saka’s form. “The one today with his right foot was easily the most impressive of the bunch,” observed one fan. Fans are seeing improvements across Saka’s game, notably in his willingness to utilise his less-favoured foot. With this growing confidence, a collective sense emerges that he’ll “be nearly unstoppable.”

New look, new era?

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Arsenal FC at Turf Moor on February 17, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Arsenal FC at Turf Moor on February 17, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Humorous nicknames like “Bizarro Bukayo” popped up, drawing lighthearted parallels to comic book figures and suggesting that Saka’s performance, and the accompanying shift in image, hints at a more assertive phase to come. Some even linked it to Wenger’s past advice about using his right foot more – demonstrating fans’ long-term view of player development.