Arsenal's top star etches his name into Premier League history

Bukayo Saka hit the 200 Premier League matches mark, making him the youngest player to do so since 2018.

Arsenal's leading star Bukayo Saka has reached 200 appearances in the Premier League, becoming the youngest player since 2018 to reach this milestone.

In the London derby where Arsenal defeated West Ham 2-0, Saka not only played but also scored, thus entering the top 10 youngest players in history to reach 200 appearances in England’s top-flight league. At 24 years and 29 days old, he ranks seventh on this list and is the youngest since Raheem Sterling (23 years, 325 days in 2013) to reach this feat.

Saka’s achievement pushed teammate Declan Rice, who is also on this list, down to tenth place. Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney still holds the record for reaching 200 games at 22 years and 346 days while playing for Manchester United in 2008. Another former Arsenal star, Cesc Fabregas, ranks third.

Saka’s feat is even more special as he became only the second Arsenal player in history to score in his 200th Premier League match, after Thierry Henry in 2005. This was also his fifth goal against West Ham, the team he has scored the most against, matching his tally against Tottenham U18.

Additionally, Saka holds numerous other records: he is the fourth youngest player in Premier League history to be involved in 100 goal contributions, Arsenal’s second youngest to reach 10 goals, and to hit 100 Premier League appearances. He is also Arsenal’s fastest player to 50 Premier League goals and ranks fourth among the youngest players to reach 200 games across all competitions for the club.

Saka made his Premier League debut in January 2019, becoming the first player born in 2001 to appear in the league. In the Champions League, he also made history as the first player to score and assist in each of his first three home matches.

In the 2024/25 season, Saka matched Thierry Henry’s record by providing assists in five consecutive Premier League games from the start of the season. At the international level, he is currently Arsenal’s top scorer for England with 12 goals and holds the record for most goals scored in major tournaments (4 goals).

With these impressive milestones, Bukayo Saka is proving to be Arsenal’s new icon and a major hope for English football.