Bukayo Saka 13/8 to break Premier League assists record

Bukayo Saka continued his remarkable season with a goal and two more assists in Arsenal's 5-2 rout over West Ham United, and the Gunners forward is 13/8 to break the Premier League's assist record.

Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry currently share the record with 20 each, and Saka is on track to run them close with 10 before Christmas.

bet365's Sports and Trading expert Steve Freeth said: "Mesut Ozil flirted with breaking the record with a blistering start to the 2015/16 campaign but then tailed off with the record tally of 20 in his sights.

"However, 10 assists at this stage puts Bukayo Saka in a great spot to surpass the world class duo of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's total such is the regularity of which his corners hit their intended target."

Remarkably, Saka recorded an assist in each of his first five games before laying on two more in his seventh game, taking his tally to seven in seven. His three-game drought, which coincided with Arsenal's recent winless run, was ended with an assist against Nottingham Forest before adding another two against the Hammers.

In what was a wide-open betting heat at the start of the season, Saka is already looking hard to catch, now priced at 8/11. An average of 14 assists have been required to take the Playmaker of the Season award in the last four seasons, and Saka's already closing in on that figure.

The 23-year-old's excellent injury record and near-permanent availability means he should get plenty of chances to add to his tally in the coming weeks; with 11 more assists needed to break the record, and with their upcoming fixtures reading Manchester United (h), Fulham (a), Everton (h), Crystal Palace (a) and Ipswich (h) before the new year, don't be surprised to see Saka make a dent in that tally over the coming weeks.

Liam Williams

• Arsenal F.C.
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