Mikel Arteta saluted Bukayo Saka’s game-changing quality after he inspired Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Southampton, saying the 23-year-old has taken another step up this season.
Saka set up goals for Kai Havertz and substitute Gabriel Martinelli before adding the third himself after the Gunners had fallen behind to Cameron Archer’s strike at the Emirates Stadium.
His assists took him to seven in the Premier League, the most by any player in the division, and his clinically-taken goal, converted first time after a Southampton mistake, followed his strike in the Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.
Arteta was grateful for his contribution against Southampton and felt it underlined the academy product’s willingness to shoulder greater responsibility in his side, even at a young age.
“That’s the maturity and that’s the steps that players have to do. He has been long enough in the team now, he has the right to have that role,” said Arteta.
“He believes in that, that he has the capacity to change games, to decide games, like many other players, and he wants to be at the top.
“Sometimes players have to create those moments, and he’s certainly done that today again. “I think it’s another step ahead, and it’s what he wants.
“Do it at home, do it away, do it in big games, in the not-so-big games, and when the team needs it, not when it’s 3-0. That is what defines a top, top player.
“What he’s doing at his age is unbelievable. We have many examples of that as well.”
How Saka stepped up
Arteta fielded a front four with a combined total of 279 goals and 158 assists in the Premier League but it was the youngest member of the quartet who truly stepped up.
This was another outstanding display from Saka, who, at only 23, continues to be the player Arsenal look to in the difficult moments. His pair of assists took him to seven in the Premier League this season. At the time of writing, nobody else has more than four.
Saka’s goal removed any jeopardy from the final few minutes of the game and followed a similarly important strike in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain.
A closer look at the numbers underlines the extraordinary extent of his influence against Saints.
Having had seven shots and created eight chances in the 4-2 win over Leicester, another game in which he helped Arsenal avert disaster, he recorded similar numbers here, attempting another seven shots and creating another seven chances.
This time, he had a goal and two assists to show for his efforts; Arsenal’s match-winner once again.
