Arsenal allowed 2 stars 'better than Saka' to leave for free

A surprising statistic reveals that two former forwards who left Arsenal on free transfers - Aubameyang and Lacazette - have influenced matches more than Bukayo Saka.

Bukayo Saka has long been regarded as Arsenal's new icon. The 24-year-old Englishman is not only a key figure in Mikel Arteta's lineup but also the hope whenever the Gunners find themselves stuck. His goals and assists often come at crucial moments, making Saka a true "game-changer" at the Emirates.

However, according to statistics published by The Athletic, Saka is not actually the player with the greatest impact on Arsenal’s games since the 2019/20 season. In fact, two players who left the club on free transfers - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette - have had a bigger influence in deciding matches.

Specifically, 69% of Aubameyang’s Premier League goals from 2019/20 were scored in situations that changed the match outcome, meaning they helped Arsenal take the lead or equalize. Lacazette also achieved an impressive 67%. These figures show that the two former Wenger forwards not only scored goals but did so at the most critical moments for their team.

Aubameyang and Lacazette were once a fearsome strike partnership at the Emirates, helping Arsenal win the FA Cup and Community Shield in Mikel Arteta’s first season in charge. Notably, Aubameyang scored in both finals, playing a major role in the Gunners’ brief but emotional success.

Ironically, both stars left Arsenal without generating any transfer fees – one ended his contract to join Barcelona, while the other moved to Lyon on a free transfer. Nevertheless, their impact is clearly reflected in the numbers they left behind.

In fact, The Athletic’s rankings show that Saka is not among the top three current Arsenal players with the most direct influence on match outcomes. Two players currently at Arsenal, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, surpass him in the percentage of goals that “change results.”

Trossard often shines when coming off the bench, while Martinelli stands out with crucial goals against top teams like Liverpool and Chelsea.

Still, there is no denying that Bukayo Saka remains the heart of Arsenal today. He brings stability, pace, and fighting spirit to every game. However, these stats remind us that sometimes the “unsung heroes” are those no longer at Emirates – the ones who helped shape Arsenal’s fate in the most decisive moments.

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