Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Cristiano Ronaldo
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Cristiano Ronaldo
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Bukayo Saka is aiming to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo's number from his Manchester United stint. The English forward has been one of the Gunners' best players in recent years and has continued that good run this campaign as well.
Saka has registered seven goals and 11 assists from 18 goals across competitions this season. His efforts have inadvertently drawn comparison to Ronaldo's rise from an unknown teenager to the best player in the world at Old Trafford.
Speaking to the press ahead of Arsenal's game against the Red Devils, as cited by Sky Sports, Arteta paid tribute to the Portuguese superstar's mentality.
"To look is always good, you know. And, probably, the way Cristiano started his career, and when he joined Manchester United, nobody probably expected in the first few seasons to be able to do that. But again, it was about his mentality, his work ethic, how he developed his skill, his chemistry with his team," said Arteta.
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He continued:
"And yeah, to play in a team that has the capacity as well to be dominant is very very important. So, I think he (Saka) has got that context and he's aiming for that. I think it's a positive thing."
The Gunners host Manchester United at the Emirates on Wednesday, December 4, in the Premier League. Arsenal arrive at the game in second place in the league table after 13 games, six points ahead of the Red Devils, who are placed ninth.
How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Manchester United against Arsenal?
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka
Cristiano Ronaldo faced Arsenal 18 times in his career, all during his two stints with Manchester United. The Portuguese won nine of them and lost five others.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored nine goals against the Gunners, setting up two more. Cristiano Ronaldo first faced the north London side in 2003 in the Premier League, with the game ending in a draw.
The 39-year-old's first two goals against Arsenal came in February 2005, at the Emirates, with the Red Devils picking up a 4-2 Premier League win. The Portuguese faced the Gunners in the Champions League semifinals in the 2008/09 season for Manchester United.
The first leg ended 0-0 at Old Trafford, but Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace and set up another at the Emirates to secure a 3-1 win. Unfortunately, the Red Devils lost to Barcelona in the final that year.