Move over Bukayo Saka; there's a new poster boy in town at Arsenal and he looks like a generational talent.
Several years ago, a certain Unai Emery handed Saka his Gunners debut and under the reign of Mikel Arteta, the club's number 7 has not looked back.
He's an England regular, he's Arsenal's best player but another Hale Ender is coming for his place; Max Dowman.
Saka-Dowman-Arsenal
The weight of expectation has not fazed young Dowman yet, and after becoming the youngest player in Champions League history earlier this term, he scored his first goal for the Londoners against Everton, subsequently becoming the Premier League's youngest ever goal scorer.
He's some talent, alright, and with Saka in a run of poor form, it genuinely may not be too long before the 16-year-old earns a start on the right flank in Premier League action.
Why Saka's form has dwindled at Arsenal
For years now, Saka has been the go-to man in Arsenal colours and while claims that he's finished as an elite asset are premature, there are understandable concerns over the wide player's long-term future.
Bukayo-Saka-Arsenal
Last season, the Englishman suffered a nasty hamstring injury and he has arguably not been the same since. He's been in and out of the team after Noni Madueke joined but he has still started the vast majority of games.
His numbers are not terrible either, scoring nine goals and supplying seven assists. However, for a player who's come close to providing around 30 goal involvements year on year, his statistics are well below par.
Bukayo Saka goals and assists per season (timeless)
Why is this? Well, there are several reasons, not least the fact that Arsenal's attack has failed to click for the vast majority of the season.
Playing with Viktor Gyokeres instead of a player like Mikel Merino or Kai Havertz leading the line has had a big impact, primarily when it comes to link-up play.
Arsenal-Gyokeres-Havertz
Indeed, Saka has only received 1.9 passes per game from Gyokeres this term. Last season, Arsenal's winger received 5.3 per match from Havertz.
Jurrien Timber's role as more of an inverted full-back hasn't helped matters either. This season, he has averaged more touches in the opposition box than all of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Merino.
Where do those touches appear? Well, in the right-hand side of the area where Saka would typically be operating. As a result, it is no real wonder that he has struggled to influence games as often as he has in previous years. Gone are the days of Ben White providing an overlap.
Arsenal - penalty area touches
Player
1) Noni Madueke
2) Bukayo Saka
3) Gabriel Martinelli
4) Viktor Gyokeres
5) Leandro Trossard
6) Jurrien Timber
That being said, the English wide man will be the first to admit that he has not been at his best this season and with a pivotal tie against Bayer Leverkusen to come on Tuesday evening, perhaps Arteta might actually be better off replacing him.
How Arsenal can replace Saka
In years gone by, the lack of options available to Arteta to replace Saka has been non-existent. It's a huge reason behind why he's played such a colossal amount of football.
Ethan Nwaneri emerged as a genuine back-up option last term but he headed to Marseille on loan in January, having failed to start a single league match in 2025/26 for the Gunners.
Ethan-Nwaneri-Marseille
His lack of game time was born out of the decision not only to sign Eze but also Madueke. Huge online protests took place when it looked as though the winger was going to move to the Emirates Stadium, and even if his numbers are not too glowing, he has proven plenty wrong.
Indeed, in the early knockings of the campaign, former England defender Paul Parker remarked that Madueke had actually been "better than Saka" and while the overall quality between the two would see Arsenal's number 7 come out on top, the former Chelsea man is certainly in brighter form right now.
Madueke-Arsenal-Leverkusen
A tricky winger with a clumsy sort of dribbling ability, there are comparisons to be made to Nicolas Pepe. Signed for big money, a left-footed right winger with a maverick play style, he has also struggled with end product, much like the Ivorian did in London.
Yet, there is a sense that Madueke's potential is far greater than Pepe's. Indeed, despite only starting 20 games all term, he has still managed seven goals, two fewer than Saka, and four assists.
Sure, those are not jaw-dropping numbers but for someone playing second fiddle to the poster boy of your project, it's not bad at all.
In 2026, Madueke has really come alive. Across his 16 appearances this calendar year, he has found the net on four occasions and provided three assists in that time. For context, Saka has only scored twice since the 3rd December.
Arsenal need to find a way to breathe fresh life into their forward line ahead of the clash with Leverkusen and while Dowman may be a prime candidate to start after his first goal last Saturday, Arteta must ignore that temptation.
Arsenal's Max Dowman
Madueke started at left wing in that 2-0 win over Everton but he must start from the right on this occasion with Saka reduced to a role on the bench.
It's a bold call but it's one that may just get Arsenal into the next round of the Champions League.
Max-Dowman-Arsenal-1 Related
Arsenal have already agreed to sign the next Max Dowman in 2027
Max Dowman became the youngest goal scorer in Premier League history on Saturday.