It’s all coming up Arsenal at the moment.

Going into the season, there was a sense that it was do or die for Mikel Arteta, and so far, he and his side have risen to the pressure.

The North Londoners have won all four of their Champions League games without conceding, are through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup, and most crucially, sit atop the Premier League table.

However, there are still a few problems Arteta needs to solve, such as Bukayo Saka’s form. The talismanic winger has underwhelmed in recent weeks and is being outperformed by a player who looked destined for a transfer in the summer.

Saka's middling form

Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, the fact remains that, in the greater scheme of things, Saka is Arsenal’s most important and best player.

After all, the 24-year-old has already made 276 appearances for the team, in which he’s amassed a world-class tally of 75 goals and 72 assists.

However, what is equally true is that while he’s not been bad this season, he has been underwhelming.

For example, in 13 appearances across all competitions, he has scored five goals and provided no assists.

Moreover, while that doesn’t sound too bad, it’s important to note that two of his goals have been penalties, and one came at the end of their League Cup tie with Brighton.

In other words, the Hale End icon has one non-penalty goal in the league this season and now assists, which is far from ideal.

Fortunately, while Saka is going through this slight dip in form, another of Arsenal’s attackers has stepped up and is now outperforming him.

The Arsenal star outperfoming Saka

While the defence and midfield have been sensational so far this season, it would be fair to say that Arsenal’s attack has been somewhat underwhelming.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, in recent weeks, while Saka’s impact has been minimal, someone else has stepped up: Leandro Trossard.

Yes, the Belgian international, who at one point looked destined to leave in the summer, has once again been putting in the sort of performances that he did in the 23/24 season.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion star might not be the most explosive of wingers, but his technical ability is undoubtedly top-notch, and this, combined with his experience and know-how, is seeing him produce goal involvements on an increasingly regular basis.

For example, he found himself in the right place at the right time to score the only goal against Fulham.

Then, a couple of weeks later, he provided the assist for Declan Rice’s header against Burnley that ensured the team collected all three points.

It’s not just in the league where the 30-year-old “little magician,” as dubbed by Arteta, is doing the business, though.

Against Athletic Bilbao, he assisted Gabriel Martinelli for the opener and then slotted home the second.

Furthermore, he provided another stellar cross against Slavia Prague for Mikel Merino to bury on Tuesday night.

Amazingly, in 13 appearances across all competitions this season, totalling 742 minutes, the Belgian has scored three goals and provided four assists.

That comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.85 games, or every 106 minutes.

Appearances

13

Minutes

742′

Goals

3

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.53

Minutes per Goal Involvement

106′

Ultimately, Saka remains the best player at Arsenal, but so far this season, Trossard is comfortably outperforming him.