Havertz pulled out of the Germany squad due to knee issues, Saka limped away from England’s loss to Greece with a hamstring problem and Martinelli missed Brazil’s final game with a calf injury.
With captain Martin Odegaard already confirmed to be out until November at the very least, it is not an ideal situation for the Gunners – especially given how impressive Arsenal’s front three have been.
All three can safely say they are in good form, so much so that with Leandro Trossard needed to cover Odegaard’s midfield role, and Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling limited to back-up options (although both started against Southampton), their first-choice status seems pretty safe for now.
And with a tricky run of fixtures on the horizon, starting with Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth live on Sky Sports, Mikel Arteta will need that front three fit and firing…
“I do think this is the year,” said Saka at the start of the month. Arguably Arsenal’s most important player put out a major statement about his side’s credentials but looking at his individual form, you can see why he is so confident.
Saka has been scintillating, especially from a creativity point of view. Seven assists in his opening seven games puts him in esteemed company for top-flight assist-makers at this stage of the season.
When Kevin de Bruyne managed eight assists in his first seven games five campaigns ago, he ended that campaign with 20 league assists, a joint-Premier League record. Cesc Fabregas also managed seven in his first seven exactly a decade ago, when his 18 assists fired Chelsea to the Premier League title.
The difference between Saka and the few high-calibre players who have managed such numbers at the start of the season before is age – nobody else has done it this young.
The England winger’s numbers are boosted by the fact he takes many of his side’s set-pieces, with Arsenal the best dead-ball side in the division. But even if you take away his two assists from set-pieces, no player in the Premier League has set up more goals than the 23-year-old.
But Saka’s numbers are not just impressive in England, they stand-up across Europe, too. Saka dominates the creativity standings in multiple areas. Only an impressive start to the season for Barcelona’s Raphinha, once linked with Arsenal, puts Saka second on the list of chances created.
What is particularly impressive is Saka has kept up these numbers despite Arsenal spending two second halves of football – at home to Brighton and away to Man City – with 10 players on the pitch.
