[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-bukayo-saka-shines-again-is-the-arsenal-star-underrated-among-the-world-s-best":61,"news-related-bukayo-saka-shines-again-is-the-arsenal-star-underrated-among-the-world-s-best-en":100,"news-related-match-bukayo-saka-shines-again-is-the-arsenal-star-underrated-among-the-world-s-best-en":211},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-38,-21,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":63,"awayTeamName":64,"body":65,"category":66,"excerpt":67,"homeTeamId":68,"homeTeamName":69,"id":70,"leagueId":71,"leagueName":72,"matchId":73,"matchName":74,"publishedAt":75,"slug":76,"sourceName":77,"sourceURL":78,"teamId":68,"teamName":69,"teamIds":79,"teamNames":89,"title":99},"326257545830207488","Fulham","Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday was yet another showcase for Bukayo Saka, who delivered a goal and an assist to keep the Gunners firmly in the Premier League title race. The 22-year-old winger opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 21st minute, then set up Gabriel Martinelli for the winner late in the second half. It was a performance that prompted Dutch football analysts Süleyman Öztürk and Bas van den Hoven to ask a question that has lingered around the England international for some time: why is he so rarely mentioned among the best players in the world?\n\nThe debate, which aired on Voetbal International's \"Rondje Buitenland\" segment, came as Arsenal moved within two points of league leaders Liverpool. Saka has been pivotal throughout the season, contributing 16 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. Yet, in conversations about global superstars—names like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham—Saka often remains on the fringes.\n\nPart of the reason may be the company he keeps. Arsenal's attack is a collective effort, with Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and captain Martin Ødegaard sharing the creative burden. Saka's numbers are impressive, but he doesn't dominate headlines the way some of his peers do. Against Fulham, however, he was the decisive figure, turning the tide after a scrappy first half in which the hosts had threatened to equalize.\n\nÖztürk and van den Hoven pointed out that Saka's consistency is remarkable. Since breaking into the first team, he has rarely gone through prolonged slumps. This season, he has been Arsenal's most reliable attacker, especially in big moments. His goal against Fulham came from a clever cut inside onto his left foot, a move that has become his trademark—but one that defenders still struggle to stop.\n\nThe assist was equally telling: a perfectly weighted cross from the right wing that Martinelli met with a diving header. It highlighted Saka's vision and technical precision, qualities that often go underappreciated in a league that emphasizes pace and power. The win kept Arsenal in the hunt for their first league title since 2004, and Saka's contribution was central to that narrative.\n\nYet, the question remains: does Saka belong in the conversation with the absolute best? His statistics place him among the elite—he ranks in the top five for goals and assists among Premier League wide players since his debut. His work rate and tactical discipline have also earned praise from manager Mikel Arteta, who often describes him as the team's engine.\n\nPerhaps the reason for the oversight is that Saka's game is not flashy. He doesn't rely on spectacular dribbles or long-range screamers. Instead, he is efficient, intelligent, and reliable. That reliability, however, might be undervalued in a world that celebrates viral moments.\n\nThe title race implications are significant. With Manchester City and Liverpool also in contention, every point matters. Arsenal's ability to grind out results against lower-table sides like Fulham often separates champions from contenders. Saka's form will be crucial in the coming weeks, especially in matches against direct rivals.\n\nAs the season progresses, the debate around Saka's status is likely to intensify. If Arsenal were to win the league, his contributions would be impossible to ignore. But even now, the numbers and the performances make a strong case for his inclusion among the world's best. The question posed by the Dutch pundits is one that more observers should be asking.\n\nBased on reporting from Voetbal International.","news","Bukayo Saka scored and assisted in Arsenal's win over Fulham, sparking debate on why the winger is rarely mentioned among the world's elite players. We analyze his impact on the Premier League title race and his standing among top talents.","326257545968619520","Arsenal","327186754589167617","326135625054949376","Premier League","326329501732573184","Arsenal vs Fulham","2026-05-05T16:15:00Z","bukayo-saka-shines-again-is-the-arsenal-star-underrated-among-the-world-s-best","Voetbal International","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vi.nl\u002Fvideo\u002Fis-saka-een-van-de-besten-ter-wereld",[68,63,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88],"326222707169431552","326222707618222080","326257536372051968","326257567204380672","326257569154732032","326257572564701184","326257546258026496","326257545918287872","326222711682502656",[69,64,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98],"Anderlecht","Dender","Metz","FC Basel 1893","Metalurh Zaporizhya","Bastia","Manchester City","Liverpool","England","Bukayo Saka Shines Again: Is the Arsenal Star Underrated Among the World's Best?",[101,130,162,187],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":66,"excerpt":102,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":103,"leagueId":71,"leagueName":72,"matchId":104,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":105,"slug":106,"sourceName":107,"sourceURL":108,"teamId":109,"teamName":110,"teamIds":111,"teamNames":120,"title":129},"Pierre Sage is set to join Crystal Palace after leading Lens to Coupe de France glory. Sporting director Jean-Louis Leca must now find a successor and reshape","338193111534538753","0","2026-06-05T03:15:00Z","pierre-sage-to-crystal-palace-what-it-means-for-lens","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FPierre-sage-sur-le-depart-jean-louis-leca-le-directeur-sportif-de-lens-va-avoir-plusieurs-chantiers-a-gerer\u002F1681831#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326257536443355136","Lens",[109,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,88,119],"326255037950988288","326257535952621568","326257572367568896","326257602382008320","326222711447621632","326257536049090560","326222712726884352","326257844615647232",[110,121,122,123,124,125,126,127,98,128],"Crystal Palace","Marseille","Le Mans","Vitesse","France","Nice","Cape Verde Islands","Ajaccio","Pierre Sage to Crystal Palace: What It Means for Lens",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":66,"excerpt":131,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":132,"leagueId":71,"leagueName":72,"matchId":104,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":133,"slug":134,"sourceName":135,"sourceURL":136,"teamId":137,"teamName":138,"teamIds":139,"teamNames":150,"title":161},"Chris Wood's serious knee injury clouds New Zealand's World Cup hopes as the All Whites face Iran, Egypt, and Belgium in Group G.","338128485845307393","2026-06-04T23:01:18Z","new-zealand-s-2026-world-cup-bid-wood-injury-a-major-doubt","The Guardian","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F05\u002Fnew-zealand-world-cup-2026-team-guide","326222713104371712","New Zealand",[137,140,141,142,143,144,145,146,147,148,149],"326257546392244224","326257595583041536","326222712622026752","326257808754348032","326257660145963008","326222711976103936","326257545754710016","326222712013852672","326222712265510912","326222711401484288",[138,151,152,153,154,155,156,157,158,159,160],"Nottingham Forest","New Caledonia","South Africa","Northampton","Motherwell","Australia","Newcastle","Iran","Egypt","Belgium","New Zealand's 2026 World Cup Bid: Wood Injury a Major Doubt",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":66,"excerpt":163,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":164,"leagueId":71,"leagueName":72,"matchId":104,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":165,"slug":166,"sourceName":135,"sourceURL":167,"teamId":168,"teamName":169,"teamIds":170,"teamNames":178,"title":186},"Spain 1-1 Iraq: Yamal injury concern as eight debutants feature in World Cup warm-up. Torres gave lead but Doski's long-range stunner equalized. Depth tested.","338113367510093825","2026-06-04T22:04:33Z","spain-1-1-iraq-what-yamal-s-absence-squad-rotation-mean","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F04\u002Fspain-iraq-friendly-international-match-report","326222711653142528","Spain",[168,171,172,173,174,175,80,176,177],"326257593141956608","326257565195309056","326222711908995072","326222713142120448","326222712819159040","326222712395534336","326257565233057792",[169,179,180,181,182,183,90,184,185],"Chattanooga","Barcelona","Mexico","Canada","Iraq","Norway","Atletico Madrid","Spain 1-1 Iraq: What Yamal's Absence & Squad Rotation Mean",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":66,"excerpt":188,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":189,"leagueId":71,"leagueName":72,"matchId":104,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":190,"slug":191,"sourceName":192,"sourceURL":193,"teamId":194,"teamName":195,"teamIds":196,"teamNames":203,"title":210},"NI's youngest post-WWII side (avg age 22.1) beat Guinea 1-0 with Atcheson scoring and sent off, while Morrison debuted, showing grit before facing France.","338103552524161025","2026-06-04T21:18:17Z","ni-record-youth-side-show-grit-22-1-avg-age-beats-guinea","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc7v9ve8415mo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257664243798016","Northern Ireland",[194,197,87,68,198,112,199,200,201,202,116],"326257791738056704","326257808385249280","326257807630274560","326257664713560064","326257664403181568","326257808158756864",[195,204,97,69,205,121,206,207,208,209,125],"Guinea","Sheffield Wednesday","Southampton","Luxembourg","Gibraltar","Blackburn","NI Record Youth Side Show Grit: 22.1 Avg Age Beats Guinea",{"awayScore":212,"awayTeam":213,"description":217,"homeScore":218,"homeTeam":219,"id":73,"kickoffAt":223,"length":224,"leagueId":225,"leagueName":72,"leagueSlug":226,"probabilityLabel":72,"slug":227,"status":228,"tvStations":229,"venueCity":21,"venueName":21},0,{"code":214,"id":63,"imagePath":215,"name":64,"slug":216},"AWY","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fteams\u002F36.png","fulham","Arsenal vs Fulham Premier League Match Preview – May 2, 2026\n\nThe Emirates Stadium is set to host a compelling London derby as Arsenal welcome Fulham on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 BST. As the Premier League season enters its decisive final stretch, this fixture carries significant weight for both sides, making it one of the most intriguing matchups of the weekend.\n\nArsenal, perennial title contenders in recent campaigns, will be desperate to claim all three points as they chase domestic glory. The Gunners have transformed the Emirates into a fortress under their current setup, and the home faithful will demand nothing less than a dominant performance. Every match at this stage of the season is treated as a cup final, and Mikel Arteta's side knows that dropped points could prove catastrophic in the title race.\n\nFulham, meanwhile, have established themselves as a competitive and resilient Premier League outfit. The Cottagers will arrive in north London with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Marco Silva's men have shown they can trouble the division's elite, and their organized defensive structure combined with swift counter-attacking ability makes them a dangerous opponent for any side.\n\nThe rivalry between these two west and southwest London clubs may not carry the intensity of some other London derbies, but recent seasons have produced tightly contested affairs. Fulham have occasionally sprung surprises against Arsenal, and the Gunners will be wary of complacency.\n\nKey tactical battles to watch include Arsenal's fluid attacking rotations against Fulham's disciplined backline, while set pieces could prove decisive given both teams' aerial threats. The midfield control will be paramount, with Arsenal's possession-based approach clashing against Fulham's transitional game.\n\nThe Emirates atmosphere will be electric, with supporters creating a cauldron of noise to propel their team forward. Fans can expect a high-tempo, competitive encounter with both teams fully committed to their respective objectives. With so much on the line, this promises to be a captivating chapter in London football.",3,{"code":220,"id":68,"imagePath":221,"name":69,"slug":222},"HME","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fteams\u002F42.png","arsenal","2026-05-02T16:30:00Z",90,"326135624635518976","gb-premier-league","arsenal-vs-fulham-2026-05-02","finished",[]]