Bukayo Saka set to break 86-year Arsenal record with next England goal

With his next goal for England, the 23-year-old winger will surpass the legendary Cliff Bastin to become Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer for the national team.

Saka is set to feature in England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland during the October international break.

A goal in either match will bring his total tally to 13 international goals, surpassing Bastin’s 12, which he scored between 1933 and 1938.

Bastin, who is third on Arsenal’s all-time top scorers list, was unable to add to his England tally after World War Two, and he retired in 1947.

Now, Saka, one of Arsenal’s brightest talents, stands on the cusp of eclipsing that long-standing record.

The Gunners’ stand-in captain has been in sensational form this season, recently delivering a man-of-the-match performance in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Southampton.

He contributed a goal and two assists in that match, bringing his Premier League tally to seven assists in seven games — the most by any player in Europe’s top five leagues this term.

Saka has also netted three goals across all competitions, including a stunning free-kick against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

His goal-scoring record in major tournaments for England is also impressive, with four goals, including three at the 2022 World Cup.

With Saka’s next England goal, Arsenal fans will witness the breaking of an 86-year-old record, further cementing his place in the club’s history.