Bridging the Saka Gap: Arsenal’s Top Transfer Targets for Premier League Success
Bukayo Saka is more than just a winger for Arsenal—he is the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s system, an indispensable cog in the club’s machine, and a symbol of its ambitions. When Saka suffered a significant injury, Arsenal faced a challenge beyond replacing a player: they needed to replace a talisman. With the January transfer window on the horizon, the question looms large—how do you fill the void left by one of the Premier League’s brightest stars?
Arsenal’s title hopes rest on a delicate balance. While internal solutions exist, the weight of expectations and the unforgiving nature of a Premier League season suggest that Arteta may need to dip into the transfer market. The search is not just for a player but for someone capable of maintaining the intricate balance that Saka offers—pressing, creating, scoring, and leading. Let’s dive into the internal options, the external candidates, and the ultimate path forward.
Saka’s Absence: A Tactical and Emotional Void
Saka’s importance transcends statistics, but the numbers underline his impact. His contributions of goals, assists, and chance creation make him one of the league’s most productive wingers. Beyond the tangible, Saka’s positional intelligence, work rate, and ability to link up with Martin Ødegaard and Ben White create an attacking synergy critical to Arsenal’s 4-3-3 system. Losing him disrupts more than the right flank; it shifts the dynamics of the entire team.
Without Saka, Arsenal lose their most reliable outlet in transition, their relentless presser in defensive phases, and their ice-cold finisher in key moments. Arteta’s tactical blueprint, which relies heavily on wide forwards who can invert to support midfield play, faces a significant recalibration. In this context, replacing Saka becomes both a tactical and emotional challenge.
Data Source: Cannon Stats
Internal Solutions: Limited but Viable
Arsenal have several internal options, though none can truly replicate Saka’s impact. Gabriel Martinelli shifting to the right, Leandro Trossard occupying the left, and Gabriel Jesus playing centrally is one possibility. Another is Jesus moving wide with Kai Havertz slotting in up top. Finally, the inclusion of 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri represents a gamble that could yield long-term dividends but feels premature given the stakes.
Each solution comes with trade-offs. Martinelli and Trossard excel on the left and may struggle to replicate Saka’s dynamism on the right. Jesus has shown versatility but is less effective as a wide creator. While these internal solutions might plug the gap temporarily, they underline the need for reinforcements to sustain a title challenge.
The External Candidates: Who Fits Arteta’s Arsenal?
The transfer market offers intriguing possibilities, with several wingers capable of filling the void. Here are six external options, blending detailed profiles with the most relevant data points to assess their suitability for Arsenal’s system.
Matheus Cunha (Wolves, Premier League)
Matheus Cunha brings something unique to this list: versatility and experience. The Wolves forward can operate as a winger, false nine, or attacking midfielder, providing tactical flexibility for Arteta. At 25, Cunha is already acclimated to the Premier League and has delivered consistent performances despite playing in a struggling Wolves side.
Data Source: Cannon Stats
Why Cunha Fits Arsenal
Cunha’s strengths lie in his creativity, link-up play, and ability to exploit space in tight areas. His passing metrics and goal contributions suggest he could slot seamlessly into Arsenal’s fluid attacking system. While not a natural winger, Cunha’s adaptability makes him a strong candidate to provide depth across the front line, offering both immediate impact and long-term reliability.
Key Data Points:
- Open Play xA: 0.28 per 90 (96th percentile), reflecting his elite creative passing.
- Progressive Carries: 6.9 per 90 (87th percentile), showcasing his ball progression.
- Non-Penalty Goals: 0.53 per 90 (96th percentile), highlighting his goal-scoring contributions.
Challenges
While Cunha offers significant creative upside, he lacks Saka’s explosiveness and wide-area dominance. His tendency to operate centrally may require Arsenal to tweak their tactical setup. Furthermore, Wolves are unlikely to let him go cheaply, which could make this a financially challenging move.
Ruben van Bommel (AZ Alkmaar, Eredivisie)
Ruben van Bommel, the 20-year-old son of Dutch legend Mark van Bommel, has been a rising star in the Eredivisie. Known for his creativity and positional awareness, he has the potential to grow into a top-tier talent. His performances in the UEFA Europa League have further underlined his ability to shine on bigger stages.
Data Source: Cannon Stats
Why Van Bommel Fits Arsenal
Van Bommel’s technical ability and vision make him a natural fit for Arteta’s possession-based system. His creativity in the final third, coupled with his intelligent movement, allows him to find pockets of space and create opportunities for teammates. At 20, he represents a long-term investment who could develop into a key player under Arteta’s guidance.
Key Data Points:
- Progressive Passes: 4.03 per 90 (80th percentile), emphasizing his playmaking ability.
- Goal Probability Added: 0.32 per 90 (80th percentile), showcasing his impact in creating dangerous chances.
- Open Play xA: 0.18 per 90 (79th percentile), reflecting his ability to set up teammates effectively.
Challenges
While Van Bommel’s creativity and passing metrics are strong, his goal-scoring output remains modest. He also lacks the physicality needed for the Premier League, which could make his transition challenging. Despite these limitations, Van Bommel’s potential upside makes him a fascinating prospect for Arsenal’s long-term plans.
Ibrahim Sadiq (AZ Alkmaar, Eredivisie)
Ibrahim Sadiq has emerged as a standout in the Eredivisie, catching the eye with his direct attacking style and ability to score in crucial moments. The 24-year-old Ghanaian thrives on exploiting space in the final third and offers a potent goal-scoring threat, making him an exciting prospect for Arsenal.
Data Source: Cannon Stats
Why Sadiq Fits Arsenal
Sadiq’s style aligns with Arteta’s preference for dynamic wide players who can impact the game in multiple phases. His ability to carry the ball forward and deliver incisive moments makes him a strong candidate to deputize for Saka. His efficiency in front of goal, coupled with his positional intelligence, could offer Arsenal a different dimension on the right.
Key Data Points:
- Open Play Shots: 2.69 per 90 (89th percentile), showing his consistent goal-scoring involvement.
- Progressive Carries: 9.79 per 90 (97th percentile), highlighting his ball-carrying ability.
- Dribbles Completed: 4.53 per 90 (97th percentile), showcasing his strength in one-on-one situations.
Challenges
While Sadiq’s attacking metrics are strong, his lack of creativity in terms of key passes and assists raises questions about his ability to replicate Saka’s dual role as a creator and scorer. Additionally, adapting from the Eredivisie to the Premier League could pose a significant challenge.
Ernest Nuamah (Lyon, Ligue 1)
At just 20 years old, Ernest Nuamah represents one of the most exciting young talents in European football. A product of FC Nordsjælland, the Ghanaian winger has quickly made an impression at Lyon with his ability to drive at defenders and stretch defenses.
Data Source: Cannon Stats
Why Nuamah Fits Arsenal
Nuamah’s raw pace and explosiveness on the ball align with Arsenal’s tactical philosophy, which prioritizes dynamic wingers who can break defensive lines. His pressing ability and willingness to take on defenders make him a strong candidate to deputize for Saka, especially in counter-attacking scenarios.
Key Data Points:
- Progressive Carries: 9.79 per 90 (96th percentile), demonstrating his skill in moving the ball into advanced areas.
- Open Play Shots: 2.39 per 90 (89th percentile), indicating his ability to generate goal-scoring opportunities.
- Progressive Passes Received: 6.45 per 90 (77th percentile), reflecting his off-the-ball movement to create space.
Challenges
Despite his potential, Nuamah remains a raw talent. His decision-making in the final third and lack of end product are areas that need refinement, which may limit his ability to make an immediate impact in a high-pressure environment like Arsenal.
Simon Adingra (Brighton, Premier League)
Simon Adingra has been a revelation at Brighton, showcasing his ability to thrive in a high-intensity Premier League system. The 23-year-old Ivorian is known for his work rate, technical ability, and versatility across the front line.
Data Source: Cannon Stats
Why Adingra Fits Arsenal
Adingra’s experience in the Premier League makes him one of the safest bets on this list. His ability to link play, carry the ball into advanced areas, and contribute defensively would make him a seamless fit in Arteta’s system. He also offers positional flexibility, capable of playing on either wing or centrally.
Key Data Points:
- Progressive Carries: 6.32 per 90 (76th percentile), showing his effectiveness in moving the ball forward.
- Dribbles Completed: 1.69 per 90 (69th percentile), reflecting his ability to challenge defenders.
- Open Play xA: 0.15 per 90 (69th percentile), suggesting his creative contributions.
Challenges
While Adingra’s defensive work rate aligns with Arsenal’s demands, his attacking output this season—just one goal and one assist—may fall short of the expectations for a Saka replacement. Additionally, Brighton’s reputation for extracting high transfer fees could make this a costly acquisition.
Geovany Quenda(Sporting CP , Liga Portugal)
Geovany Quenda has emerged as one of Liga Portugal’s most exciting young talents at Sporting CP. At just 20 years old, he has shown an impressive ability to influence games with his creativity, vision, and technical proficiency. A natural winger, Quenda thrives on the left side but has also demonstrated versatility in his positioning, making him an adaptable asset for any top side. His progressive passing and dribbling skills have helped him become a reliable creator, even if his goal contributions remain a work in progress.
Why Quenda Fits Arsenal
Quenda’s ability to unlock defenses with precise passing and ball progression aligns well with Mikel Arteta’s emphasis on positional play and dynamic ball movement. His progressive carries (7.1 per 90) and ability to complete deep passes into dangerous areas (3.42 per 90) make him a valuable option for sustaining Arsenal’s attacking fluency. While Quenda lacks the immediate scoring threat Saka provides, his playmaking attributes could compensate for this by enabling others to flourish in the final third. Additionally, his youth and relatively affordable valuation could make him a smart investment for the future.
Key Data Points
- Progressive Passes: 5.03 per 90 (93rd percentile)
- Progressive Carries: 7.1 per 90 (84th percentile)
- Key Passes: 2.25 per 90 with 1.9 xA per 90
- Deep Completions: 3.42 per 90 (92nd percentile)
Challenges
Quenda’s lack of scoring threat remains a significant drawback, with just 0.09 non-penalty goals per 90 and a non-penalty xG of 0.08 per 90. Adapting to the physicality and pace of the Premier League is another challenge, as he has yet to face competition at the same level. Additionally, while his creative ability is undeniable, Arsenal may prefer a more direct scorer to replicate Saka’s influence.
The Tactical Fit: Who’s Best for Arsenal?
Arteta’s system demands more than just technical quality; it requires positional intelligence, relentless pressing, and versatility. Among the candidates, Adingra and Cunha stand out due to their Premier League experience and proven adaptability. Adingra’s creative flair and Cunha’s ability to link play offer tactical advantages that fit Arsenal’s current needs.
Nuamah and Sadiq provide high potential but come with greater risk, while Van Bommel and Quenda offer long-term value without immediate impact. Ultimately, Arsenal’s decision may depend on striking the right balance between short-term needs and long-term ambitions.
Market Feasibility: Striking the Right Deal
The financial dynamics of each deal vary significantly. Brighton’s negotiation stance for Adingra could inflate his price, while Wolves may demand a premium for Cunha’s versatility. Meanwhile, players from smaller leagues like Nuamah, Van Bommel, and Sadiq might come at more affordable prices, though their adaptation to the Premier League remains a gamble.
Arsenal’s transfer strategy must consider not just price tags but also the competitive landscape. Teams like Manchester City and Liverpool could drive up the market for promising talents, making swift negotiations essential.
Conclusion: Bridging the Saka Gap
Replacing Bukayo Saka is a monumental task, but Arsenal’s careful scouting and Arteta’s tactical acumen provide hope. Adingra and Cunha emerge as the most immediate solutions, blending proven experience with tactical compatibility. Meanwhile, Nuamah, Sadiq, and Van Bommel offer high-upside alternatives that could blossom under Arteta’s guidance.
Arsenal must act decisively. Whether pursuing a marquee signing like Adingra or nurturing a rising star like Van Bommel, the club’s response to Saka’s absence could define their season. One thing is certain: the Gunners cannot afford to falter in their quest to maintain momentum in their pursuit of Premier League glory.
