Saka’s Return and Injury Woes Mean Goals For Arsenal

Bukayo Saka has returned to the Arsenal team after a lengthy injury layoff. The mercurial wide man made an instant impact but Mikel Arteta has fresh injury worries to contend with. 

The Gunners have more firepower with Saka on the pitch but injuries to Jurrien Timber and Gabriel mean they are fragile at the back. Now is the time to back goals in Arsenal matches says Scott Thornton.

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

Saka Provides Cutting Edge

Arsenal were the second favourites for the Premier League title at the start of the season. Manchester City, the reigning champions who have beaten the Gunners to the crown in the previous two campaigns, are a shadow of their former selves but Liverpool have moved ahead of Arteta’s team. Bukayo Saka’s injury has been key factor in Arsenal being off the pace. Now Bukayo is back, we should see more cutting edge from the Gunners.

Saka has scored six and assisted a further 10 goals in 18 Premier League appearances this season. Only Mohamed Salah has registered more assists despite Bukayo missing a chunk of the season. The winger ranks in the top 10% for assists, shot creating actions, touches in the opposition box and progressive passes received per 90 compared with all attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year. His influence on this Arsenal team cannot be overstated so they need him to return to full match sharpness as soon as possible.

Bukayo came off the bench to score in his first game back against Fulham. Saka looked a little less mobile in the half he played against Everton but he still looked a threat in front of goal. Mikel Arteta will be hoping he recovers further ahead of the Real Madrid clash. Saka certainly makes Arsenal a greater threat going forward. 

Defensive Injuries Spell Trouble for Arteta

Arsenal are a team built on defensive stability. They have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season with an average of 0.84 per game, 0.13 less than Liverpool. The Gunners had the best defensive record in the top tier of English football last season. Mikel Arteta has a physically imposing squad that is difficult to overcome but they have been leaking goals of late. 

The Gunners have kept just one clean sheet in their last six competitive matches. Over that period, their opponents have netted an average of one goal per game from an average xG of 1.14. This problem has been exacerbated by injury.

Gabriel is a colossus at the back for Arsenal. The Brazilian needs to undergo surgery after picking up an injury against Fulham, overshadowing Saka’s return. Arsenal’s win percentage in the Premier League with the centre-back is 63.7% but it drops to just 40.9% without him in the team. Gabriel has formed a formidable partnership with William Saliba but Jakub Kiwior will be play next to the Frenchman in the weeks to come.

Jurrien Timber also sustained an injury in Arsenal’s win over Fulham. He is expected to return imminently but Riccardo Calafiori will miss the upcoming matches. The Italian has played as both a cenre-back and a full-back for Arsenal this season. He ranks in the top 20% for tackles, interceptions and aerial duels won compared with full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues despite the fact that his team dominate the ball. 

Injuries have certainly weakened Arsenal’s defence so they will need to rely on their ability to grab goals in the weeks to come. Recent matches suggest there will be chances at both ends so it’s time to back goals when the Gunners take to the field.

Difficult Tests to Come 

Arsenal’s next game is the home leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. The reigning champions of Europe have one of the most formidable attacks in world football and will relish the trip to London. They have netted an average of 2.31 goals per game in this competition thus far, but have managed just one clean sheet in their six away matches. Therefore, we are backing both teams to score in this one. This will be just the second time that Arsenal have been priced over 2.10 for a home game this season. The other was a 2-2 draw against Liverpool. Let’s hope for goals once again. BETSiE certainly thinks that both teams are capable of finding the net.

The Gunners’ next Premier League match is against Brentford. Arteta’s men won the reverse fixture 3-1. Both teams to score has also landed in the three league meetings between the sides at the Emirates Stadium. The Bees are in good form on the road. They have won five of their last six Premier League away matches, scoring an average of 2.5 goals per game. Thomas Frank’s side certainly have the firepower to hurt Arsenal so goals looks a solid bet here. 

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