Can Diogo Jota Replace Darwin Nunez as Liverpool's Main Striker?

Welcome to The Radar: Insights on Premier League Action

Join us as we delve into the latest happenings in the Premier League through this Sky Sports column penned by Nick Wright. Using a blend of analytical data and insightful opinions, we highlight essential stories, player performances, and what to look forward to this week. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Diogo Jota's rise as Liverpool's central figure
• Bukayo Saka's continuous growth at Arsenal
• Emiliano Martinez’s impact at Aston Villa
• Players to watch this weekend

Jota Primed for Central Role

Arne Slot’s recent management decisions have raised eyebrows, particularly his choice to deploy Diogo Jota in a central forward position during Liverpool’s recent victory over Ipswich. Jota, known for his remarkable finishing acumen, displayed his skills vividly, shaking off a missed header earlier in the match to net a quick goal. Such instances affirm Jamie Carragher’s earlier commentary on Jota being Liverpool’s best finisher of the Premier League era.

Jota's Impressive Scoring Stats

Since his arrival at Liverpool, Jota has scored 42 goals in 5,845 minutes, marking an impressive average of 0.65 goals per 90 minutes. This statistic ranks him among the top finishers of the league, further emphasizing Slot's strategy to use Jota efficiently in a central role.

Elite Saka Keeps Improving

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is another player demonstrating continuous improvement. After a standout season where he made 47 appearances and was a key figure for both club and country, Saka returned to the new season with vigor, scoring and assisting against Wolves.

Notable Stats for Saka

• 70 goal involvements since the 2021/22 season (42 goals, 28 assists)
• Averaged 0.77 goal involvements per 90 minutes
• Created five chances and had 15 touches in the opposition box against Wolves

At just 22 years old, Saka's stats are impressive, especially in relation to his position as a winger. Mikel Arteta has emphasized how rare and valuable such performance metrics are for someone of his age.

Martinez Thriving Under Emery

Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has emerged as one of the league's elite since joining the club. His critical saves during their opening week against West Ham underscored his role in Villa’s success and reaffirmed his status after signing a new contract.

Martinez's Shot-Stopper Statistics

Martinez leads the league in expected goals prevented, showcasing his exceptional shot-stopping abilities:

• 5.41 expected goals prevented since Unai Emery's arrival
• Outperforming goalkeepers like Alisson Becker (0.89) and David Raya (2.77)

Players to Keep an Eye On

This weekend, keep an eye on Jhon Duran from Aston Villa, who has shown promising signs with pivotal contributions off the bench. Similarly, Bournemouth will capture attention, especially with young defender Dean Huijsen potentially featuring against Newcastle after an impressive debut.

Live Radar: Upcoming Matches

Don’t miss the thrilling matches this weekend, including:

• Aston Villa vs Arsenal - 5:30 PM Kick-off
• Bournemouth vs Newcastle - 2:00 PM Kick-off
• Liverpool vs Brentford - 4:30 PM Kick-off

Catch all the action live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event. For detailed coverage and updates, stay tuned to The Radar!