MIKEL ARTETA has expressed a strong conviction in Bukayo Saka’s potential to transform into a world-class centre-forward, much like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 23-year-old Arsenal winger’s journey from a Hale End talent to an international sensation has amazed many, including those within the club.
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Beginning his career as a left-back early in Arteta‘s tenure at the Emirates, Saka made his first official appearance for the Gunners six years ago this week.
He debuted at just 17 years old in a 1-0 Europa League match against Qarabag under the previous manager Unai Emery.
Saka has since evolved into a premier winger and a crucial figure for both Arsenal and England, placing him amongst football’s elite.
Arteta, however, envisions a scenario where Saka could transition from the wings to a central No. 9 position, following Ronaldo’s lead.
At 39, Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, having initially made his mark as a winger at Manchester United before establishing himself as one of the greatest strikers in history at Real Madrid.
When asked about the potential for Saka to make a similar transition, Arteta responded:
“We are looking into these possibilities.”
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“The ability of his teammates will play a crucial role. For him to adopt a more central role instead of staying wide, someone else must occupy the wider spaces.
“The full-back, attacking midfielder, and No. 9 need to create the necessary openings for this shift to occur.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s glamorous girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the spotlight in a daring outfit at The Fashion Awards
“I am definitely open to further developing our players.”
After netting two goals and providing an assist in the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League win over Monaco on Wednesday, Saka has now achieved 21 goal contributions in 21 matches across all competitions this season.
Since the onset of last season in the Champions League, only Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (18) and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr (16) have surpassed Saka’s tally of 14 goal contributions.
Regarding Saka’s aspirational goal count, Arteta commented: “We consistently set goals. Striving for 30 or 40 goals is admirable, but we need to determine a strategy for reaching that.
“Developing a plan that supports the player’s growth is essential to maximizing his chances for achieving those targets.
I’m definitely open to continuing to develop our players.
Mikel Arteta
“Frequently, it depends on roles, positioning on the field, or various other factors.
“Players who possess a solid understanding of the game, recognize spaces, and foresee their movements gain more freedom on the pitch.
“This refined decision-making creates uncertainty for opponents and allows for greater liberty than in prior seasons.”
Reflecting on his admiration for Ronaldo, Saka shared: “I draw strength from his mindset. He’s consistently pursuing excellence, laboring diligently both on and off the field.
“He ranks among the greatest players to ever grace the game and is truly exceptional.
“Though our playing styles are different, I constantly watch him to adopt the positive elements of his game.”
Another product of the youth system, Myles Lewis-Skelly, aged 18, also made his Champions League debut against Monaco.
This promising left-back may earn his first Premier League start against Everton tomorrow, as fellow emerging talent Ethan Nwaneri, 17, is anticipated to begin from the bench.
Full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori will be sidelined due to muscle injuries, while Brazilian centre-back Gabriel is expected to make a comeback.
I admire his mindset. He’s constantly striving for excellence, tirelessly working both on and off the pitch.
Saka on Ronaldo
Arteta acknowledged that he is now in a better position to incorporate young players into the first team due to the “fantastic” environment in the Gunners’ dressing room.
This is a considerable contrast to the challenging atmosphere he faced when he took over in December 2019.
The Spaniard remarked: “They can be ready, but the dynamics within the team, the dressing room, and timing all need to align…
“Right now, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of everyone, we’ve cultivated the right atmosphere.
“They receive proper support and feel comfortable.
“The transition is significant, yet they are showcasing their ability to handle it.”
Strategies to Prevent Arsenal from Scoring on Corners
Arsenal has established itself as a formidable force in capitalizing on corner opportunities.
Since last season, the Gunners have netted 22 goals from corner situations — seven more than their nearest competitor, Manchester City, and eight more than league leaders Liverpool.
Two of those goals came against Manchester United, where Jurrien Timber and William Saliba scored in the second half to secure an essential victory as they pursue Arne Slot’s side.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka orchestrated these plays, both contributing seven assists from set-pieces since the start of the 2023/24 season, leading all players in this category.
Manchester United legend Dimitar Berbatov humorously remarked that Arsenal has become the new Stoke City of the Premier League — a team renowned for its proficiency in set-pieces under Tony Pulis.
Here are four strategies to thwart Arteta’s team during corner situations
