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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made an interesting observation about Gunners' winger Bukayo Saka following their Premier League win over Southampton. The two sides faced off at the Emirates Stadium on October 5, with the Gunners winning 3-1.
Saka was easily the best player on the field as he scored a goal and provided two assists, contributing to all of the Gunners' attacking output on the day. Afterwards, Mikel Arteta spoke about the 23-year-old winger, telling the press (via Mirror):
“That’s the maturity and the steps that players have to do. He’s been long enough in the team now – he’s earned the right to have that role. He believes in that, he has the capacity to change games, decide games, like many other players.
"If you want to be at the top, players have to create those moments and he’s certainly done that today.”
Bukayo Saka has racked up two goals and seven assists in just seven Premier League games this season, taking his tally of goal contributions to nine. When Arteta asked if these brilliant performances were normal, the manager said:
“No, I think he’s another step ahead of where he was and especially when – do it at home, do it away, big games when the team needs him, not when it’s 3-0. That’s what defines a top, top player.”
Bukayo Saka is on an impressive run of form, and the Arsenal manager will be hoping that this continues after the players return from the international break. On October 19, they will face Bournemouth away from home before returning to UEFA Champions League football in the midweek against Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22.
How Bukayo Saka performed for Arsenal against Southampton
After a first half in which neither side managed to open the scoring, the Saints were the first to celebrate, thanks to a 55-minute goal by Cameron Archer. After Mateus Fernandes dispossessed Raheem Sterling, the 20-year-old kickstarted a counter-attack by playing in Archer, who slotted into the bottom-right corner.
From here on, though, it was the Bukayo Saka show, as he lifted Arsenal to all three points. Only three minutes after Southampton scored, the Gunners found the equalizer through Kai Havertz. Saka dispossessed Flynn Downes to start a counter, laying the ball onto the Germany international to find the net.
Just 10 minutes later, Martinelli added another goal for the Gunners after a perfect cross from Saka found him at the back post. In the 88th minute, Saka found the net himself, adding his name to the scoresheet after a brilliant overall performance for Arsenal.
