Bukayo Saka out to emulate Ian Wright feat when Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal face Aston Villa

Bukayo Saka is prepared to equal an Arsenal feat last achieved by Ian Wright as Aston Villa visit the Emirates in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners are coming into this North London clash following their first Champions League quarter-final tie since 2010, facing Bayern Munich at the Emirates.

Saka scored inside the opening 15 minutes to give the Gunners a lead in the last-eight tie, before first-half goals from Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane had the Bavarians ahead.

Bayern were unable to hold on for a crucial win away from home, though, with Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard finding the net to equalise the tie.

The match finished 2-2, meaning that it is all to play for when the Gunners and Thomas Tuchel's crop face each other again at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.

Arsenal's Saka looking to emulate Ian Wright achievement

Returning their attentions to the Premier League for the moment, Saka and Arsenal will be looking to take one step closer to their first English crown in 20 years.

The 22-year-old has been in sensational form for Mikel Arteta's men in the top flight, finding the net on 14 occasions and providing eight assists in 29 league appearances.

Saka's recent form since the turn of the calendar year has been nothing short of sensational, with the England international scoring 11 goals in as many Premier League matches.

If the Arsenal winger is able to breach the net of Villa on Sunday afternoon, then he would join Ian Wright on a goalscoring metric as the season approaches its conclusion.

One more goal for Saka in the Premier League during 2023-24 would see him become the first English player to score 15 league goals in a campaign for Arsenal since Wright during the 1996-97 term.

State of play in the title race

After holding current champions Manchester City to a goalless draw at the Etihad on March 31, Arsenal have recorded back-to-back wins as they strive for the Premier League title.

The Gunners were comfortable victors over Luton Town on April 3, before securing a three-goal success at Roberto De Zebri's Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

Saka, Kai Havertz and Trossard all found the back of Bart Verbruggen's net on the South coast, maintaining Arsenal's position in the standings.

Heading into the final seven matches of the 2023-24 league term, Arteta's men are top of the Premier League, ahead of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool on goal difference and one point ahead of third-placed Manchester City.