Arsenal icon Robert Pires has upset the applecart by suggesting that Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku – at the time of writing – is better than his club’s very own, Bukayo Saka. The Englishman, 23, has been a pivotal part of his boyhood club since emerging from the Hale End academy ranks, whereas Pep Guardiola’s winger has been less impactful.
The Frenchman, who won two Premier League titles with the north Londoners, has suggested that London-born Saka, for all of his brilliance, currently lacks the ‘consistency and experience’ needed to be better than Doku, 22.
Statistically, however, who comes out on top? Using numbers from WhoScored to compare the pair’s displays from the 2023/24 Premier League campaign and from the Premier League website and FBRef to compare their exploits to Pires himself, below is a deeper dive into their statistics.
It’s worth mentioning that Saka of Arsenal played plenty of more minutes for his side than Doku did – thanks to the star-studded nature of the reigning champions – for Guardiola and his entourage. As such, the focus of the statistics will be ‘per game’ to ensure there is consistency across the board.
Although a winger’s forte does not necessarily need to be shooting, Saka’s 3.1 shots per game blows Doku’s 1.9 out of the water. That said, given that the latter plays alongside the ever-reliable goal source, Erling Haaland, his need to be a threat in front of goal is lessened.
From a passing perspective, the duo share the spoils. Saka produced more key passes per game in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign (3.1 to Doku’s 1.9), teeing up his teammates on a more regular basis.
Elsewhere, despite the Arsenal man being more direct and creative with his passing ability, Doku is more precise. His pass success rate of 86% backs up that claim, while Saka was pinpoint with his passes, whether that be long or short, 83% of that time.
Doku, regarded as one of the ‘most impactful’ wingers in world football, is more fruitful when it comes to dribbling, too, with him completing three a game, which, in itself, is a phenomenal rate. Saka, meanwhile, completed 1.4 dribbles per game.
Saka delivered more crosses for his club teammates, though, totting up 1.3 per game throughout the 38-game campaign. Ex-Anderlecht man, Doku, completed a, in comparison, paltry 0.4 per game.
Also stronger from a defensive standpoint, as showcased by his better tackles and interceptions rates per game, Saka is, overall, the superior winger – and that’s even before looking at their return in front of goal, categories in which the 42-cap England international flies in.
