As the 2025-26 Premier League race heats up, the battle between Son Heung-min and Bukayo Saka reaches new heights. We dive into the stats to settle the debate: who is truly the better player?
On a rainy night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in March 2026, Son Heung-min curled home a 25-yarder to silence the North London derby — a moment of vintage brilliance. But just two weeks later, Bukayo Saka dismantled Manchester City with two goals and a dazzling assist, reaffirming Arsenal’s title credentials. These moments crystallise the central question of the season: in the Son Heung-min vs Saka debate, who is performing at a higher level in 2025-26?
Through 34 appearances in the 2025-26 Premier League season, Bukayo Saka has notched 16 goals and 9 assists — a career-best return. He’s been directly involved in a goal every 108 minutes, a rate that puts him in the conversation with Haaland and Salah. In contrast, Son Heung-min, at 33, has played 32 games, scoring 14 goals and adding 6 assists. While these numbers remain elite for his age, they reflect a slight decline in output compared to his peak years.
Crucially, Son missed five weeks in January with a hamstring strain, disrupting his rhythm. Saka, meanwhile, has been ever-present, benefiting from Arsenal’s meticulous load management. His minutes (3,060) surpass Son’s (2,880), contributing to higher cumulative stats. Yet Son’s conversion rate — one goal every 4.1 shots on target — remains superior, highlighting his clinical finishing.
Expected Goals (xG) data shows Saka averaging 0.41 xG per 90, with a season total of 13.8 — slightly underperforming his actual tally, suggesting he’s finishing chances at a high rate. His Expected Assists (xA) stand at 0.26 per 90, translating to 8.8 over the season, meaning his 9 assists are well-aligned with chance quality.
Son, by comparison, posts 0.36 xG per 90 (12.2 total) and 0.19 xA per 90 (6.1 total). While solid, this gap in xA reflects reduced creative responsibility at Spurs. Saka leads in shot-creating actions (SCA) with 3.8 per 90, driven by smart through balls and successful dribbles. He also averages 5.1 progressive carries per 90, consistently advancing play into dangerous zones — a key asset in Mikel Arteta’s build-up.
Against the current top six, Son Heung-min has 6 goals and 3 assists, including a stunning brace against Manchester City. Analysts believe his composure in high-pressure environments remains unmatched. "Son plays like a player who’s been there before — calm, lethal, decisive," experts suggest.
Saka has 4 goals and 5 assists in the same fixtures, including a man-of-the-match display at Anfield. While he hasn’t consistently dominated every elite clash, his consistency across the season is unparalleled. He’s been named Player of the Month four times — a testament to his sustained excellence. Arsenal’s title challenge hinges on his ability to perform week in, week out.
Here’s the truth: Bukayo Saka is now performing at a higher level than Son Heung-min in the 2025-26 season. Not because Son has fallen — he remains one of the most intelligent and efficient forwards in Europe — but because Saka has ascended to a new tier. At 24, he combines maturity, creativity, and goal threat like few others.
Team context matters: Arsenal’s dominance in possession and pressing gives Saka better opportunities. But he’s maximising them. Son, in a less stable Spurs side, still produces magic — but less frequently. For now, the torch is passing. Saka isn’t just matching Son’s level — he’s surpassing it.
Q: Who has better stats, Son Heung-min or Saka?
A: Bukayo Saka holds the edge in 2025-26 with 16 goals and 9 assists compared to Son’s 14 and 6. He also leads in xG, xA, progressive carries, and shot-creating actions, making him statistically superior this season.
Q: Is Saka a future Ballon d'Or winner?
A: Absolutely, if he maintains this trajectory. His all-around game, consistency, and leadership at Arsenal position him as a prime candidate. A strong 2026 World Cup could accelerate his rise into the top three contenders by 2027.
Q: Who is the better player right now?
A: As of April 2026, Bukayo Saka is the better player based on volume, influence, and advanced metrics. Son Heung-min remains elite, especially in big games, but Saka’s all-round impact gives him the narrow advantage.
