With Arsenal top of the Premier League and having scored 26 points in 10 games, the early story of the 2025/26 season is a story of a comeback. From youth, grit, and flair, the squads of Mikel Arteta have been dazzling, with three players showing their talent. They are namely Bukayo Saka with his wizardry, Declan Rice with his mastery in the middle, and Eberechi Eze with his natural integration. Their combination has made potential points and left the doubters quiet following the near-miss they had last season.
Saka: The Unstoppable Engine
The Arsenal talismanic winger, Bukayo Saka is on full cylinder. The 24 year old has already recorded five goals and seven assists with his direct running frightening full-backs. Saka can still be found in the state of 2019. His brace in the 3-1 dismantling of Manchester United last month, a curling opener and a tap-in by a poacher. Arteta smiled at the end of the game and said, He is our heartbeat. Saka is an excellent leader off the pitch, where he trains academy children during England assignments. Having played 150 times in the Premier League, he is not only surviving the celebrity life, but he is also enjoying it.
Rice: The Anchoring Force
The PS105 million giant, Declan Rice is the West Ham stud who has reinvented the engine room of Arsenal. The pass accuracy of 92 and 4.2 tackles per game make the 26-year-old the mainstay of the defense. This makes flair players thrive. Goal of the Month whispers came after his thunderbolt 30-yard strike in the 2-0 victory over Tottenham – another qualifier in the Champions League. The aerial domination of Rice (4 out of 5 duels won) has suppressed duel phobia of the set-piece, and his calmness during transition reminds of the Vieira in his best. According to his teammate, Martin Odegaard, Declan is the glue. International breaks put him to the test but Rice comes back sharper with the Arteta spirit of being relentless.
Eze: The Eze of Adaptation
The wildcard? Eberechi Eze, Crystal Palace’s £65 million summer steal. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder has slotted in like a glove, impressing even goalkeeper David Raya with his rapid acclimation. “Eze’s vision is telepathic— he’s reading plays before they unfold,” Raya revealed in a club podcast, praising how Eze’s quick feet and no-look passes have eased pressure on the backline. In his debut off the bench against Chelsea, Eze’s threaded assist for Saka’s winner sparked frenzy. Recent squad integration reports highlight his humility: bunking with Rice, Eze’s absorbed Arsenal’s culture overnight, chipping in two goals and three assists. From Selhurst Park showman to Emirates sorcerer, he’s the X-factor Arteta craved.
Author’s Opinion
These trio’s alchemy—Saka’s spark, Rice’s steel, Eze’s silk—has Arsenal unbeaten at home and eyeing a double. As the international window bites, their return could ignite a run to remember. In a league of pretenders, these standouts scream champions.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
