Can in-form Saka finally end his strange Chelsea scoring drought?

Bukayo Saka has started Arsenal’s Premier League season in excellent form, but Sunday’s clash with Chelsea gives him the opportunity to put right one surprisingly poor record.

The Arsenal winger has already scored in both of the Gunners’ opening league matches, against Coventry City and Aston Villa, and now has the chance to make it three in a row against our London rivals.

There is, however, one unusual statistic standing in his way.

Saka has struggled for goals against Chelsea

As The Standard reports, Saka has faced Chelsea nine times since Arsenal’s last defeat to the Blues in August 2021, but has scored just once during that period.

That feels particularly surprising considering how influential Saka has become for Arsenal and how dominant the Gunners have been in this fixture over recent seasons.

He is also now the only player in Arsenal’s current squad who featured in that defeat five years ago following Gabriel Martinelli’s departure this summer.

Saka started on the left that afternoon. Plenty has changed since then, both for Arsenal and for the player himself.

The 25-year-old now goes into Sunday’s encounter looking increasingly sharp following the Achilles problem that affected him last season and during the summer.

His first two league goals have also been encouragingly similar, with Saka getting himself into dangerous positions close to goal rather than relying solely on cutting inside from the right.

Saka is already delivering when Arsenal need him

We saw exactly how important that can be at Villa Park.

Arsenal needed someone to produce the decisive moment in a difficult game and once again it was Saka who delivered, arriving inside the six-yard box to convert Riccardo Calafiori’s low cross.

That followed his goal against Coventry on the opening weekend.

Two games, two goals and six points for Arsenal.

Chelsea therefore arrive at the Emirates at a time when Saka appears determined to make a major impact this season.

His scoring record against the Blues may not reflect his importance to Arsenal, but Sunday provides the perfect opportunity to change it.

Arsenal have increasingly looked towards Saka for the big moments throughout his career. There would be few better occasions to produce another one than a London derby against Chelsea.

Arsenal v Chelsea Match Preview: Huge London Derby at the Emirates

Can Saka make it three Premier League goals in three games and finally improve that surprisingly modest scoring record against Chelsea? Let us know what you think in the comments.

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