Bukayo Saka has been in impressive form at the start of the season for Arsenal
The 23-year-old's 15 goal contributions in the league is only bettered by Mo Salah
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By TUM BALOGUN
Published: 04:01 EST, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 04:01 EST, 4 December 2024
Mikel Arteta has explained how Bukayo Saka is seeking to emulate his childhood hero Cristiano Ronaldo amid the Arsenal star's incredible start to the campaign.
Saka's goal and assist in the Gunners' impressive 5-2 win over West Ham on Saturday took his goal contributions in all competitions to 18. His tally of 15 in the Premier League is only bettered by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
Arteta will be hopeful of the Englishman extending his goalscoring run to four matches when they welcome Manchester United to the Emirates on Wednesday night. And ahead of what could be a pivotal clash in his side's season, he addressed Saka's ability to follow in the footsteps of the Portuguese great.
'To look is always good,' said Arteta. 'The way Cristiano started his career, and when he joined Manchester United, nobody probably expected in the first few seasons he would be able to do that.
'It was about his mentality, his work ethic, how he developed his skill, his chemistry with his team and to play in a team that has the capacity as well to be dominant.
'That is very, very important. I think Bukayo has got that context and if he is aiming for that, I think it is a positive thing.'
Mikel Arteta heaped praised on Bukayo Saka, who he claims is improving his level year-on-year
The 23-year-old scored and assisted against West Ham to take his number of goal contributions in all competitions to 18 in as many games
Arteta believes that it would be a 'positive thing' for the Englishman to try and emulate Cristiano Ronaldo's numbers
The 39-year-old made 236 league appearances for the Red Devils across two spells after his making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2003.
Ronaldo went on to score 103 Premier League goals and collected three titles before completing a world record transfer to Real Madrid, where he enjoyed the best years of his career.
Saka, of course, has some way to go to match Ronaldo's numbers but the 23-year-old has improve his production year-on-year. This fact was highlighted by his manager, who claimed that the winger will get better because 'he wants more'.
'In terms of the numbers, we always see a shift in Bukayo every single year,' Arteta added. 'He is providing something else. He is adding things to his game, he is more and more consistent, and his numbers in terms of impact in goals and assists is incredible at this stage of the season.
'He can only improve, he can only get better. He has got the right players around him to continue to do so and especially because he wants more.'
The Gunners welcome a rejuvenated United, who are unbeaten in their first three games under Ruben Amorim, to the Emirates on Wednesday. Despite sitting ninth in the standings, United are just four points off Brighton currently occupying the last Champions League spot.
Arsenal, meanwhile, know they can ill afford another slip up if they are to win their first top-flight title in 21 years. The Gunners have been in improved form since the return of their captain Martin Odegaard and climbed up to second in the table after thumping the Hammers.
However, they face a tough task catching runaway leaders Liverpool, who extended their lead at the top to nine points following a commanding victory over defending champions Manchester City.
'You can see [Amorim's] fingerprints in what he wants to do straight away. He's been very clear with what he wants to do.' Arteta said. 'What he did with Sporting was remarkable after so many years. Especially the way he did it and the way his teams are playing.
'It brings energy to a new club and the players, which is always positive. But we have to focus on what we're doing.'