Arsenal with and without Bukayo Saka: Difference in how Gunners have performed with star fit or injured

Bukayo Saka has grown into one of the most influential stars not only in the Premier League, but indeed global football.

The 24-year-old has blossomed into a game-changer since coming up from the Arsenal youth setup to become a Gunners regular, while emerging as a consistent starter for England during the Three Lions' most consistent run of tournament performances for more than half a century.

As Arsenal push for the Premier League and Champions League crowns in the 2025/26 season, Saka's continued struggles to stay fit and available for selection have hampered the second half of their silverware chase and highlighted the difference in Arsenal's performances with their star forward on the pitch versus the games he's been forced to miss.

The Sporting News takes a deeper look at how Arsenal have performed both with Saka healthy and firing, and when he has been forced to miss the action.

MORE: Latest Arsenal injury updates and team news ahead of their next match

Arsenal with and without Bukayo Saka

Arsenal with Bukayo Saka

The following numbers are from Premier League plus Champions League and Europa League games in which Saka has appeared, either from the start or off the bench.

It is clear that Arsenal play significantly better with Bukayo Saka on the pitch, especially across the 2025/26 season. 

2025/26 season

• Games: 36
• Record (W-D-L): 23-7-2
• Goals for: 73
• Goals against: 24
• Win percentage: 63.89%
• Points per game (EPL only): 2.3

Since start of 2019/20 season

• Games: 276
• Record (W-D-L): 166-53-53
• Goals for: 533
• Goals against: 255
• Win percentage: 60.14%
• Points per game (EPL only): 2.0

Arsenal without Bukayo Saka

2025/26 season

• Games: 10
• Record (W-D-L): 6-1-3
• Goals for: 18
• Goals against: 7
• Win percentage: 60%
• Points per game (EPL only): 1.5

Since start of 2019/20 season

• Games: 98
• Record (W-D-L): 55-24-19
• Goals for: 189
• Goals against: 96
• Win percentage: 56.12%
• Points per game (EPL only): 1.6

Bukayo Saka injury history

Saka has been a workhorse for Arsenal when fit, as Mikel Arteta has notably given the England star heavy run when available for selection.

However, this has contributed to frequent muscle injuries throughout Saka's career.

He has mostly struggled with hamstring problems throughout his career, including multiple absences over the past two seasons.

Bukayo Saka notable injuries

Injuries that forced Saka to miss three matches or more, via Transfermarkt, last updated April 29, 2026.

• Achilles tendon strain: Mar. 23, 2026 — Apr. 20, 2026 (Arsenal/England — 7 matches)
• Hip injury: Jan. 30, 2026 — Feb. 11, 2026 (Arsenal — 3 matches)
• Hamstring injury: Aug. 23, 2025 — Sep. 17, 2025 (Arsenal/England — 5 matches)
• Hamstring injury: Dec. 22, 2024 — Mar. 30, 2025 (Arsenal/England — 21 matches)
• Thigh injury: Oct. 10, 2024 — Oct. 24, 2024 (Arsenal/England — 3 matches)
• Undisclosed: Mar. 21, 2024 — Apr. 6, 2024 (Arsenal/England — 3 matches)
• Thigh injury: Oct. 3, 2023 — Oct. 21, 2023 (Arsenal/England — 3 matches)

Bukayo Saka matches missed for club and country

Data via Transfermarkt, last updated April 29, 2026.