Arsenal of England’s Nigerian-born star, Bukayo Saka is riding high on a personal milestone of half a century of assists, even as he edges closer to clinching a historic English Premier League title with The Gunners, Sports247 reports.
The remarkable milestone for Saka is a a record of 50 assists for his club in the EPL at a very young age of at just 24 years and 255 days old, which makes him the second youngest player in history to achieve the rare feat.
Saka’s latest assist came Monday night against Burnley, as he set up Kai Havertz to score the game’s only goal, thereby taking the Nigerian-born lad next to Wayne Rooney, who reached the landmark at a younger age of 24 years and 84 days.
His assist on Monday night helped Arsenal move a step closer to winning their first EPL title in 22 years with a 1-0 win over relegated Burnley, thereby shifting the pressure onto Manchester City, whose penultimate match comes up on Tuesday.
Another Nigerian-born player, Eberechi Eze almost scored on the night, as he registered his side’s first shot on target with a hooked volley from distance, after which Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta was angry that Saka was denied a penalty.
It could have been a spot kick, after Saka went clashing with Lucas Pires, while Martin Ødegaard’s shot from a pocket of space in the area was deflected a whisker wide and the hosts only had to wait for the resulting corner to finally hit target.
It came with a record-breaking 18th goal of the season from corner situations for Arsenal, as Havertz rose highest among a crowd of bodies in the six-yard box to nod into the middle of the net, handing Saka his 50th EPL assist in the process.
Another Nigerian-born player was also in the highlights for Burnley, as Havertz was perhaps overzealous in his challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu, but was spared an early bath by the match referee, Paul Tierney, before Trossard’s shot faded wide.
At the end of it all, Arsenal’s third consecutive 1-0 victory means that any slip-up from Man City against Bournemouth on Tuesday would take the title back to North London before The Gunners play Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
That would grant Arteta and his wards a respite and a very valuable opportunity to tinker the squad in preparation time for the upcoming UEFA Champions League final clash with Paris-Saint Germaine of France on May 30th.
A report by Tribal Football added, “Arsenal star Bukayo Saka continues to cement his place among the Premier League’s elite after reaching a remarkable career milestone at just 24 years and 255 days old.
“In the English topflight encounter against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, the England international set up Kai Havertz for the Gunners’ opener in the 37th minute.
“With that, Saka has now recorded more than 50 goals and 50 assists in the competition, becoming only the second-youngest player in Premier League history to achieve the feat.
“The England international also became just the third player to both score 50+ Premier League goals and provide 50+ Premier League assists for Arsenal, alongside Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.”
