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MIKEL ARTETA has called on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard to evolve into Arsenal’s versions of Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
The Gunners captain and playmaker Odegaard have developed a nearly telepathic relationship with winger Saka on the right side, which has become the team’s primary source of goals in recent years.
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Since Odegaard’s return from a two-month ankle ligament injury last month, an impressive 51.4 percent of their chances have been created on the right side, the best in the Premier League.
In their 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on November 23, they connected for 36 passes—recording the second-highest total between two non-defensive players this season.
Last year, they generated 40 open-play chances for each other in the Premier League, passing to each other 322 times.
Only Manchester City’s Rodri and Mateo Kovacic created more opportunities, with center-backs excluded.
While the numbers are impressive, Arteta’s tenure has yet to yield trophies—unlike the silverware collected by legends Iniesta and Xavi during their illustrious careers.
At the Nou Camp, they secured seven La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies, among other accolades.
They played a crucial role alongside stars like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Neymar—the key figures that propelled Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona towards European championships and historic Trebles time after time.
This is the vision Arteta has for both Odegaard, 25, and Saka, 23, as the North London club aims to end their 20-year pursuit of a Premier League title—especially as they currently trail league leaders Liverpool by nine points.
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As Arsenal readies for their clash with Manchester United, Arteta reflected, when asked about the best player partnerships, “Yes, I always think of Barcelona with Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. It was exceptional.
“They didn’t even need to look at one another.
“Our two center-backs [William Saliba and Gabriel] have a natural chemistry that’s fantastic.
“We strive to nurture these relationships further as there’s something unique that’s difficult to define.
“But as bonds form naturally, the team greatly improves.”
Arteta looks forward to facing Ruben Amorim, who at 39 visits the Emirates just weeks after taking charge at Manchester United—achieving one draw and two wins in his first three matches in all competitions.
Jorginho encourages Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to become England’s fifth-ever Ballon d’Or winner and end a 23-year drought
Having started his first role in English football in his late thirties, Arteta understands the challenges of swiftly adapting to a major club that demands patience and respect in achieving results.
Since joining Arsenal in December 2019 at 37, he has shared insights with Amorim, now 42: “How unpredictable the job can be.
“I entered my new role mid-season amidst unique social circumstances. Shortly thereafter, COVID emerged.
“You can plan anything, but football frequently presents unexpected challenges; you must adapt. Embrace the unpredictability and manage it.”
“You can already see his impact [at United] in his immediate vision. He has clearly articulated what he wants to achieve. What he did at Sporting Lisbon was remarkable after many years.
“His method and the style his teams display inject excitement into a new club, which is always a positive. However, we must remain focused on our goals.”
On United—currently 15 points behind Liverpool in their title chase—Arteta remarked: “It’s still early in the season.
“Any team that can win five or six games in a row will contend, as the competition is tough, and we see teams struggle to maintain consistent wins week after week.”
“Therefore, I believe anything is possible.”
