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MIKEL ARTETA has shown faith in Bukayo Saka’s ability to rise to the status of a world-class centre-forward, similar to his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 23-year-old Arsenal winger’s transformation from a Hale End prospect to an international star has surprised many, including those within the club.
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Initially positioned as a left-back during the early stages of Arteta‘s management at the Emirates, Saka marked his first official start for the Gunners six years ago this week.
This debut occurred at the age of 17 during a 1-0 Europa League victory against Qarabag under then-coach Unai Emery.
Saka has since evolved into a top-tier winger and a vital asset for both Arsenal and England, establishing himself among football’s elite.
Arteta, however, envisions a future where Saka could transition from the wing into a central No. 9 role, following Ronaldo’s path.
At 39, Ronaldo currently represents Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and initially gained recognition as a winger at Manchester United before developing into one of the sport’s premier strikers at Real Madrid.
When questioned about the possibility of Saka pursing a similar transition, Arteta commented:
“We are exploring these avenues.
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“It will depend on the capabilities of his teammates. For him to assume an inside position instead of remaining wide, someone must operate on the flank.
“The full-back, the attacking midfielder, and the No. 9 have to create the requisite space for that to occur.
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“I’m absolutely open to further developing our players.”
After his impressive two goals and an assist during the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League triumph over Monaco on Wednesday, Saka now has 21 goal contributions in 21 matches this season across all competitions.
Since the start of last season in the Champions League, only Bayern Munich‘s striker Harry Kane (18) and Real Madrid‘s Vinicius Jr. (16) have contributed to more goals than Saka’s tally of 14.
On Saka’s potential goal-scoring goals, Arteta commented: “We always set targets. Aiming for 30 or 40 goals is fantastic, but we need to outline how to achieve that.
“It’s crucial to create a strategy that supports the player’s growth and enhances his opportunities to reach that goal.
I’m absolutely open to further developing our players.
Mikel Arteta
“It sometimes relates to a specific role, positioning on the field, or many other factors.
“When players possess a strong understanding of the game, comprehend the spaces, and the timing of their movements, they gain more freedom on the pitch.
“Enhanced decision-making emerges from this deeper understanding, generating uncertainty for the opponent and giving them significantly more freedom compared to past seasons.”
Reflecting on his admiration for Ronaldo, Saka remarked: “I find his mentality inspiring. He continuously aims to be the best, putting in diligent work on and off the field.
“He stands among the greatest to ever play football and is simply remarkable.
“Although we play differently, I consistently look to him to integrate the positive aspects of his style into my gameplay.”
Another academy talent, Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, also made his Champions League debut against Monaco.
The young left-back may be in line for his first Premier League start against Everton tomorrow, with fellow emerging star Ethan Nwaneri, 17, likely on the bench.
Full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori will miss the match due to muscle injuries, while Brazilian centre-back Gabriel is expected to make his return.
I admire his mindset. He’s constantly striving for excellence, tirelessly working both on and off the pitch.
Saka on Ronaldo
Arteta noted that he is now better positioned to introduce young talents into the first team due to the “unbelievable” atmosphere in the Gunners’ dressing room.
This marks a stark contrast to the difficult environment he encountered when he took over in December 2019.
The Spaniard stated: “They can be ready, but the context within the team, the dressing room, and the timing needs to be right…
“Now, with the remarkable effort from everyone, we have cultivated the right environment.
“They are well-supported and made to feel at ease.
“The transition is significant, yet they are showing they can manage it.”
How to stop Arsenal at corners
Arsenal has developed into a formidable force in scoring from corners.
Since the start of last season, the Gunners have scored 22 goals from corner kicks — seven more than their nearest rival, Manchester City, and eight more than league leaders Liverpool.
Two of these goals came against Manchester United, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba finding the net in the second half to secure a vital victory as they pursue Arne Slot’s team.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka orchestrated the plays, both providing seven assists from set-pieces since the commencement of the 2023/24 season — the highest among all players.
United legend Dimitar Berbatov humorously commented that Arsenal has become the new Stoke City of the Premier League — a team famously known for their proficiency in set-pieces under Tony Pulis.
Here are four strategies to prevent Arteta’s squad from scoring from corners
