Arsenal stars rank among best U23 dribblers in Europe
Arsenal stars Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have been ranked amongst the best under-23 dribblers in European football, according to a recent report from CIES.
The dynamic duo have played prominent roles in Arsenal’s rise to the upper echelons of the Premier League under the leadership of Mikel Arteta.
Their goals have helped Arsenal establish themselves as concrete title contenders, but their ability to unlock defences with stunning individual skills has also caught the eye.
Arsenal have greatly benefited from the on-the-ball prowess of both players, who have been ranked amongst the top ten best dribblers in Europe’s top five leagues.
Martinelli is second only to Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal on the ranking, averaging 4.9 dribbles per 90, significantly lower than Yamal’s 6.0 per match.
However, the Brazilian winger boasts a significantly higher dribble success rate (65%) than his 16-year-old Spanish counterpart (56%).
Martinelli’s partner in crime, Saka, ranks five places lower in 7th, averaging 4.4 dribbles per 90, although he boasts a near-identical success rate to his Arsenal teammate (64%).
When the parameters are expanded on a global scale, both players drop down in their rankings, with Martinelli occupying the 9th position while Saka plummets to the 26th slot on the list.
Nevertheless, they remain integral figures in Arteta’s set-up and will play a pivotal role in Arsenal’s hunt for an inaugural Premier League title in two decades.
Martinelli has scored once and provided two assists in the Premier League this season, averaging 1.6 dribbles per 90 while maintaining a 57% success rate.
Saka, on the other hand, has proven to be the more creative outlet for the Gunners, netting four times and providing three assists while creating three big chances.
The England international averages more dribbles than his Brazilian teammate, with 1.8 per match, although with a slightly lower success rate at 55%.
Arsenal suffered only their second defeat of the 2023/24 campaign in Wednesday’s disheartening 3-1 defeat to West Ham United, ending their Carabao Cup hopes for the season.
However, they remain one of the major contenders for the Premier League title, sitting joint second on the table after an unbeaten start to the season.
