The best wide attackers so far

Here are 25 names to know as the season goes on

Football fandom is so full of noise.

Your player is overrated, he limps, he doesn’t show up against 2004 Barca, etc. But I think Arsenal fans who are in it for more than just the banter won’t be surprised by this statement: We’ve got a truly, truly special player in Bukayo Saka.

Saka’s chart so far this season looks pretty incredible, and keep in mind that this program I use does cut the axis off at the top-end value. Saka would far exceed the outside circle on a number of these stats so far this season. He’s been amazing, and would quite easily be first on this ranking (NOTE: this ranking combines weighted scores from this season and last season). So keep that in mind.

I’m in less of a preamble mood today, so let’s keep moving down the list with the next Arsenal player, who would be Gabriel Martinelli.

I said last season that I think Martinelli is one of the Arsenal players whose PR lags farthest behind his actual value, and these ranks keep vindicating that opinion. Gabi needs to take some more shots but has been creating well so far this season, and his finishing (despite the narrative around that chance at Bournemouth) is trending up. If he can keep this up, he’s in good shape, though maybe the goals dip a bit. Martinelli would rank 3rd.

Lastly, we’ve got Trossard. His inclusion is obviously debatable, as particularly this season he’s done some work as more of a 10. But for purposes of discussion, his chart:

Trossard is usually good for shots and xG, and that remains unchanged here. He’s not as valuable a creator as Saka or Martinelli, but he finds his ways to make chances, and he’s so astute at popping up in key areas near goal for shots. He so far would rank 5th. What a testament that is to the quality of players Arsenal does have playing on the front lines so far!

Now, for the rest of the ranking.