Bukayo Saka scores the decisive goal to take Arsenal into the Champions League final and Mikel Arteta believes he is back to his best at the perfect time in the Premier League title race.
Bukayo Saka scores the decisive goal against Atletico Madrid (Image: Vince Mignott/Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka has given Arsenal a new fear factor as they aim for glory.
Gunners winger Saka has been plagued by minor injuries this season, but is coming back to life at the right time. Arsenal’s magical number seven also has the aura to be one of the most important players for club and country ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Saka gave Arsenal a huge boost in their bid for the Premier League title, scoring the winning goal as the Gunners defeated Atletico Madrid to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years. England star Saka is sharp and perfectly fit and played a pivotal role in the change in atmosphere that got Arsenal into peak form and chased a historic double.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for the Arsenal star and the influence he has on the rest of the team and the fear he instills in opponents. Arteta said: “Obviously his role has grown for the club, for the team and for the opponents on the pitch as well. You feel it too. He has a presence now, he has an aura. He has something special.”
Follow the Arsenal FB page! For the latest Gunners news and details, visit our dedicated Facebook page.
read more: Mikel Arteta’s update intensifies title race, with two players absent from West Ham vs. Arsenalread more: NBA star criticizes Arsenal’s tactics, claims “Champions League final is not fun”
“He’s a different player. He can change the game at any time. And it’s important to instill fear in the opposition.”
Saka has struggled with a variety of issues, including knee problems and a hamstring injury last season, and missed games this season with Achilles tendonitis. Saka always had to break through the pain wall to get to the other side, which he did and prepared for the run-in.
Another underrated aspect of Saka is that he is a true leader because his teammates listen to him and respect him. That’s why Arteta actually gave captain Martin Odegaard the armband before the likes of Declan Rice and Gabriel when he was not in the starting XI.
Arsenal’s big players are back in action and thriving (Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images))
That’s why Arteta says it’s worth waiting for Saka to fully recover from injury. Arteta added: “In the last few weeks we wanted to use him more, but I said to him: ‘Then let’s use this in the best way possible. That means you jump in fresh, motivated and in a different emotional state. Now you can really influence the team.’
“I feel very lucky to have found someone at the club that I can lean on at any level because I know he will respond. I know his heart is in the right place and I know that everything he does goes beyond certain values, certain upbringing and certain principles.”
“I was very happy. On a human level, I think we know him, and on a football level, what he has brought to this club and what he did the other day is just amazing.”
Arsenal are still waiting for Julian Timber and Mikel Merino, but both players are hoping to play minutes before the end of the season. They face a race against time to qualify for the Champions League final on May 30, but they must prove themselves ahead of the World Cup in order to join their respective squads.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+ and Ultimate TV packages
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundles to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, plus 135 channels and complete coverage of the Premier League and EFL from Sky.
Sky has over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more, with at least 215 of them live from the top flight, along with F1, darts and golf.
