Mikel Arteta is currently in the process of building something of a super team at Arsenal.
While the current crop may have been decimated by injuries, notably in defence, the squad depth that Berta and, indeed Andrea Berta have built in recent years has to be admired.
Berta was ruthless in the summer. It looked as though Arsenal’s business was done but the Italian was not satisfied. Late in the day the Gunners swooped for Eberechi Eze, pipping fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the attacking midfielder. They also welcomed Piero Hincapie in the late stages, just as well considering the current injury crisis at the back.
Their squad depth is widely thought to be the main reason that Arteta’s side sit at the top of the Premier League table. While some players look a bit tired – notably Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi – it has allowed more rotation.
Bukayo Saka has been one to benefit from that.
Has Bukayo Saka been quieter in 2025/26?
A few weeks ago, Arsenal took on Bayern Munich. The score as the game approached its late phases was 1-1.
Arteta made a bold call to substitute Saka. In the last few years, the Spaniard would not even dare to take off his talisman but such is their improved depth, he could afford to do so.
It paid dividends immediately. Riccardo Calafiori – another sub in that game – raced to the byline and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Noni Madueke to tuck away. Arsenal went on to win the game.
Madueke delivered another fine performance in Europe this week, scoring twice, including one rasping long-range effort as the north Londoners defeated Club Brugge 3-0.
The former Chelsea man was given a grilling when he first moved across London but it’s safe to say he’s proven people wrong.
Saka, on the other hand, continues to thrive, although he’s perhaps been quieter than normal. The Hale Ender is still the club’s top scorer this term with seven goals to his name. Yet, after bouncing back from a hamstring injury last term, you sense there is more to come in Arsenal red and white from their star man.
Usually so creative and effervescent, Saka’s assist for Mikel Merino’s headed goal against Chelsea at the end of November was his first Premier League assist for a year.
Now, for a man who created more chances per 90 minutes than any player in the top-flight last term, that is a worry.
That said, the England winger remains one of their most important players. If Arsenal are going to win supreme in Europe and domestically this term, they will need Saka to boost those numbers.
He could do with taking a leaf out of another Hale Ender’s book.
Big-money star is better than Saka 15 years after leaving
The Hale End production line has felt like an endless pool of talent in recent years. From that man Saka to Emile Smith Rowe, Arteta’s first few years were dominated by the two virtuoso attackers.
Smith Rowe may have moved on to pastures new but in the present era he has Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman at his disposal. Both players, certainly Dowman, are the best in their age group in the country. 16-year-old Marli Salmon even made his debut against Brugge this week.
Yet, there are some to have bitten the dust far too soon. Think Harry Kane, once of the Arsenal academy. He’s now a Spurs and England legend, plying his trade for Bayern Munich.
He’s not the only former Gunner playing under Vincent Kompany’s wing in the German capital. There is, of course, Serge Gnabry and also Michael Olise.
While Gnabry’s tale will be more familiar to those of an Arsenal persuasion, Olise’s may not be.
Where Are They Now
Like his former Crystal Palace teammate in Eberechi Eze, the winger had to take the long way round to get to where he is now.
Olise was on the books of the Arsenal academy all the way back in 2009, but he ultimately ended up across London in the west where he played in the Chelsea youth system.
Former Chelsea coach Sean Conlon recalled the story back in 2022: “Michael was also training with Arsenal at the time because before you move into the U9s, you’re allowed to train with multiple teams,” he said.
“But he probably lived closer to Chelsea and they obviously have a great academy so he ended up signing for them.”
The spritely forward ended up trading Chelsea for Manchester City and then finally found a home in Berkshire with Reading.
It was with the EFL club that he became a genuine star of the Football League, moving to Crystal Palace in a deal worth just £8m. That turned out to be a bargain. After dazzling Premier League defenders, notably scoring ten goals and registering six assists in just 19 matches during an injury-hit 2023/24, Bayern came calling.
He moved to the Bundesliga in a deal worth around £51m and the rest is history. Now regarded as “one of the best players in the world” by teammate Gnabry, he’s amassed some truly awe-inspiring numbers under Kompany.
Goals
0.55
0.37
Assists
0.73
0.09
Shots
4.27
2.59
Key passes
2.64
2.31
Progressive passes
6.00
1.94
Successful take-ons
2.27
1.85
Progressive carries
6.27
4.26
In Bayern colours, the French trickster has scored 29 goals and supplied 37 assists in 78 outings. In 2025/26 to date, the 23-year-old has netted on nine occasions, posting 14 assists.
He’s truly an elite winger and some might say he’s now better than Saka. Based on the data above, Olise is streets ahead as far as goalscoring and chance creation is concerned this season.
The former Palace sensation has also been far more prolific when it comes to take-ons and progressing the ball forward.
A “magician” – according to Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano – he is truly one of the most captivating forwards on the planet. Now worth £123m according to reports, there will be regret on Arsenal’s end that he didn’t stick around at Hale End all those years ago.
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