Saka has become inevitable for Arsenal as Tottenham's naivety shows
"I feel sorry for Ben Davies, in a way, but you know Saka is coming back on his left," said Paul Merson of Arsenal's second goal in their thrilling 3-2 win over Tottenham. "You cannot let him do that."
You cannot let him. But, increasingly, you cannot stop him either.
The 22-year-old has become inevitable. Like the former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben, you know exactly what is coming next. You just don't know how to stop it.
Davies is not the first defender to find this out. It is what Saka does.
His latest goal was his 15th in the Premier League this season and the vast majority of them have come from almost exactly the same place; many in almost exactly the same style. That curling finish into the far corner, having cut in from the right, is becoming his finish.
Thierry Henry perfected something similar from the opposite side of the box, of course. But it was another Arsenal legend whose scoring feats came to mind on this occasion. Saka is the first English player to reach 15 Premier League goals for the club since Ian Wright. It is not bad company to keep.
His role in the victory went beyond that goal, though. Saka worked tirelessly off the ball and also set up the opener, his inswinging corner flying into the net off the head of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
He just keeps getting better. Last season, he produced 26 goals and assists combined, his highest total. This term, with 19 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, he is already up to 33.
Further improvement feels as inevitable as his latest goal.
Nick Wright
"They are a team that deals with the details well and we aren't." Ange Postecoglou's analysis neatly encapsulated the difference between Tottenham and Arsenal in Sunday's north London derby.
Had
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