Jamie Redknapp hailed Bukayo Saka after the winger inspired Arsenal to a gritty 1-0 win over Fulham that took them back to the top of the Premier League. On a day when Mikel Arteta's men struggled for fluency, Saka's leadership and composure shone through, underlining once again why the England star is so crucial to the Gunners' title ambitions.
Saka excels in Arsenal's gritty Fulham win
Arsenal had to work hard to overcome a resilient Fulham side at Craven Cottage, with Leandro Trossard's second-half strike ultimately proving decisive. The Gunners laboured through a sluggish first half in which Fulham created the better chances, forcing David Raya into two important saves. But after the interval, Arsenal improved their tempo, and Saka's pinpoint corner created the breakthrough moment that sealed the win.
Fulham briefly thought they had a lifeline when a VAR review prompted a penalty awarded for a challnge on Saka to be overturned by referee Anthony Taylor. But the result lifted Arsenal back above Manchester City, maintaining their excellent away form with just one defeat in their last 18 Premier League away games. Although Saka didn't get on the scoresheet, his performance – full of drive and determination – set the tone for Arsenal's resilience. Arteta's side once again showcased their defensive solidity, as Fulham failed to register a single shot on target.
The Gunners have now conceded only three goals in eight league matches this season, highlighting their growing maturity. For Saka, who captained the side in Martin Odegaard's absence, the afternoon further cemented his role as Arsenal’s heartbeat in moments of adversity.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportNo one else can fill Saka's boots
Redknapp was full of praise for Saka's all-round influence, telling : "Don't get me wrong, of course, they've got players who can play on that side but he is the man. And that's what I'm talking about when I talk about being a leader today."
The pundit: "He's not a Tony Adams as a captain, but he took the game by the scruff of the neck when the team was struggling and they didn't quite have that flow, and he grew into the game."
Redknapp concluded: "As the game went on, he just started to win his individual battle. He was fabulous. I feel that if they can keep him fit then that's going to be a massive key for them. Obviously, there are other players – [William] Saliba, Gabriel – but Saka just feels irreplaceable."
Saka's Premier League season so far
Saka's numbers this season highlight exactly why Redknapp labelled him "irreplaceable". So far, he has three goals across all competitions and ranks among Arsenal's top players for chance creation and expected assists (xAG). He's averaged over 2.5 key passes per game in the Premier League and continues to be the most fouled Arsenal player, proof of how central he is to the team's attack.
Against Fulham, Saka led the team in completed dribbles and final-third entries, dictating the rhythm of Arsenal's play even when others struggled. His assist for Trossard's winner was his fourth goal contribution of the season, marking his direct involvement in more than 30 per cent of Arsenal's league goals at this stage of the campaign.
Those figures, paired with his relentless work rate, show a player who routinely influences matches. Having missed a brief spell earlier in the campaign through a hamstring issue, after a much longer absence last season, Saka's return to action has been seamless. His sharpness, creativity, and tactical intelligence have made him indispensable on the right flank.
Saka crucial for Arsenal on multiple fronts
With Arsenal back on top of the Premier League table, the challenge now is to sustain momentum heading into a congested schedule. Saka's fitness will be a major focus, particularly given his importance to both Arsenal and the England national team.
Arteta has already spoken about managing the player's workload carefully to avoid burnout. The Gunners' next test will come in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, where Saka's ability could prove vital as Arsenal seek to progress from the league phase.