Jermaine Pennant has reignited the debate over Bukayo Saka’s “world-class” status, arguing that the Arsenal winger’s underlying numbers do not yet justify the label. Speaking to GOAL, Pennant said Saka “gets away with murder” statistically and set a “non-negotiable” benchmark: any player touted as one of the best wingers in the world must consistently deliver 20+ goal contributions per season, as Mohamed Salah did for nine straight years.
Pennant compared Saka to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who he views as current world-class wide forwards. Using 2025–26 per-90 data, he highlighted that Dembélé leads in goals and assists per 90 minutes, while Kvaratskhelia tops Saka in dribble attempts, successful dribbles, shots and shots on target. In that comparison, Saka only ranks ahead in aerial duels won per 90.
The former Arsenal winger did not deny Saka’s importance to the team. “Can you say he’s a great player? Absolutely. The world’s best? Not just yet,” Pennant said, adding that Saka has the potential to reach that level if he matches the output of the top wide attackers over multiple seasons. Saka has recorded 165 goal involvements (84 goals, 81 assists) in 318 games for Arsenal, but he has not surpassed 12 goals in all competitions in either of his last two full campaigns.
Carlton Cole and Ally McCoist are cited in some reports as sharing the view that Saka is influential but not yet world class, though the detailed public commentary driving the current discussion comes primarily from Pennant. Cole has previously stated that “world class” should be reserved for players who consistently dominate at the very highest level, while McCoist has drawn a distinction between being a key, top-level performer and an established global icon.
Saka’s omission from the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist has added fuel to the debate. He scored 11 goals in 49 appearances last season, a return considered underwhelming by some observers given his role and Arsenal’s title challenge. Mikel Arteta has defended Saka publicly, but the statistical argument—championed most forcefully by Pennant—has shifted the conversation from reputation to measurable output.
