Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka is reaping the benefits of last summer’s experience with England when he received huge plaudits for his performances at the European Championships.
Despite missing the decisive penalty in the shootout against Italy, the 20-year-old continues to go from strength to strength in Arsenal colours, playing more Premier League minutes and being involved in more goals for the Gunners than anyone else this season.
Saka was in fine fettle at Vicarage Road this afternoon, assisting Martin Odegaard’s opener before crashing home a fine effort of his own on the half-hour mark. He was also involved in his side’s third as he took a quick thrown-in, assisted by manager Mikel Arteta, that ultimately led to Gabriel Martinelli burying a finish that proved to be the winner.
After the 3-2 win, Arteta told his post-game press conference: “I think Bukayo had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players would ever have and I think it was great for his career because the football world showed how much they like him and how much they respect him.
“That’s another thing you get much more than that in football apart from winning trophies, so I think that was a big boost for him to realise in difficult moments that people are going to give him support and the club did exactly the same as his team mates. Then it’s about leaving him that space.
“What he is already doing is phenomenal and he needs that room, you know? Don’t read too much, do what you do. Football is his priority in life and you can see that every day in training and he needs to continue to behave and live the way that he is doing.”
Saka’s on-field relationship with Martin Odegaard also appears to be flourishing with the pair responsible for most of their side’s slick pass-and-move football in recent weeks. It’s something the boss is keen to develop further.
“I think it’s between them,” he said. “The way the game flows, the way we attack, how we adapt our positions relating to each other, how we move the ball.
“The speed of the movement, the timing if it is much better, the position that we get, the threat and the sense of having the capacity to create the chances that we have done is much better and we have to keep developing that.”
Arsenal’s win temporarily sees us climb up into fourth place with games in hand on rivals. While the chance to end our Champions League exodus is exciting, Saka is urging his teammates to stay humble.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the winger, who was awarded the man of the match award, said: “This is the dream this year to be in the top four and qualify for Champions League football. We have to stay humble and focus on ourselves.”
When he first burst into scene, He was a small guy compared to others. Nowadays he looks bigger then most of fullback he eats for fun and at the sametime still has that wirey, slippery dribble to get away. I am starting to believe in him being an ballon d’or nominee in near future.
Our own starboy!! Eats premier League full backs for breakfast! I love that!!!
He had Kamara on toast the whole game down that side & that’s where 2 of the goals came from so was strange that we swapped him over to the right when we brought Pepe on, kinda think that killed our attacking momentum a bit(no hate on Pepe)
He can expect to have constant love if he plays at Arsenal for the rest of his career. Here we go, Saka and ESR…
Absolutely love our attacking players, Odegaard, ESR, Saka and Martinelli, enjoying their positivity and cohesion, it’s only going to get better.
They are the Fab Four!!!!
Brilliant brilliant footballer !!! Even more brilliant person !!! Incredibly proud of him, what he is achieving & his drive to be the best Magnificent human being 💙
He is damn strong for his build!
Way to go!
Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, Pepè. And in the youth we have Amari Hutchinson, Flores, Kiddo Taylor Hart. Can’t remember when we’re this stocked on the wings!
just offer saka ten years at whatever salary he wants
After the Wolves game, there was some suggestion in the comments that Saka is too indecisive in and around the box, and the Pepe should get more of a look in at his expense. I hope this performance puts paid to those comments. That’s now 13 goals and assists this season, the most of any player in the premier league aged 21 or under. He’s just brilliant, and plays with incredible intelligence for his age rather than just relying on his exceptional speed and skill.
He was on top form today. Well worth the goal and the assist. Superb link up play for the Odegaard goal. Endeavor to create the opportunity for the second. Shout to Lacazette for excellent support play and assists. As mentioned many times before, I prefer him in the CF role (to Auba) bc of this. This is something Giroud brought that many idiotically preferred to overlook and rate instead on goals alone. The CF works as a pivot for us to bring the second line of attackers into the final third and create space. We see results in the good… Read more »
Saka’s an exciting player no doubt.
COYG
Need to screenshot the part of the game with him facing up 5 defenders by himself.