‘We showed what we’re made of’ – Arteta says Arsenal stood up to Spurs
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Mikel Arteta’s side have reached the Carabao Cup final and will face Manchester City at Wembley on March 22, but a first silver medal since 2020 could pave the Gunners’ path to glory.
“Focusing only on the (Premier League) is counterproductive,” Saka said when asked if the league was his only focus.
“We can’t control the outcome, so we have to do the best we can each day. We are in control, so we’re looking forward to it.”
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‘I’m very happy’ – Arteta praises Arsenal’s ‘impressive’ 4-0 win over Leeds despite Saka’s injury
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“Once you taste that victory, you want to do it again and again and again.”
Liverpool were crowned champions last season, although City denied Arsenal the top spot during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 Premier League seasons.
“That’s not a good thing,” Saka said, reflecting on his team’s third consecutive runner-up finish. “No one is willing to go through those.
“What we learned is very important and we need to take it with us in this moment that we are in and do everything we can to avoid making mistakes next time.”
The 24-year-old recently committed his long-term future to the club, signing a new contract that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2030.
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‘A reliable player right now’, Keown says Saka is key to Arsenal’s Premier League hopes
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Saka joined the club’s academy at the age of eight and had several mentors during his rise to the first team, and credits Arteta with having a huge influence on his development.
“He is extremely important to me and extremely important in my development,” said Saka, who played more minutes at Arsenal than any other player under the head coach.
“I’ve become a much better player under him. He has a lot of faith in me and I’m very grateful. When people ask me what I look for in a coach, it’s him.”
“The club is definitely moving in the right direction. There is no better place to be as we have a great team and are fighting for every trophy again.”
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Arteta: ‘shaken’ Eze ‘wanted to prove something’ against Tottenham
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“To play at the highest level, to play for Arsenal, that’s all I want.”
Still, it has been a stop-start campaign for Saka, with Arteta being very conscious of his minutes.
The Spaniard rarely plays more than twice a week as a winger, and the arrival of Noni Madueke last summer is seen as crucial in allowing Arsenal’s first-choice right-winger to recover between matches.
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Saka is proud of her roots and grateful for the way she was raised.
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Saka is a role model for many Londoners as he was born to Nigerian parents, whom he credits with shaping his down-to-earth personality and quiet leadership that saw him captain Arsenal 14 times.
“Their journey is inspiring,” he said.
“From when I was in Nigeria to where we are today as a family… for me, only God can explain it because it is not normal.
“It’s like a one in a million chance for me to be standing here today. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
