After coming on in the second half to a standing ovation from the Emirates crowd, Saka got on the end of a majestic flick from Gabriel Martinelli to seal the points for the Gunners after Mikel Merino had given Arteta’s side the lead in the first half.
“I think a beautiful moment to see how much our people love, respect and admire Bukayo. He's not a surprise to any of us and I think the best example is his reaction,” said Arteta.
“Immediately after scoring a goal, what does he do? He goes and says thank you for all the hard work that all the sports science guys, physios and everybody involved in the recovery have done for him to be able to be in the condition that he is.
"I think he lifted the stadium, the energy and great to have him back.”
The win, however, was marred by injuries to defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber just seven days before Real Madrid arrive in north London for the first leg of a mammoth Champions League quarter-final tie with Carlo Ancelloti’s side.
Arteta added: “Gabi felt something in his hamstring. We don't know how big that is and with Jurrien as well. He was already struggling very early in the game. He managed to continue, at some point he couldn't. So that's the downside to it.
“The good thing is that it's been like this the whole season. You see Martinelli today, you say we missed him three months. You see Bukayo four months, Kai four months, Gabi Jesus, almost the whole season.
"How we have managed to be where we are with all those injuries, Ben White hasn't participated at all this season. It's what it is. We want it so much that we're going to give it a real go and we are very excited for the next week.”
In spite of Saka’s timely return, the form of Merino hasn’t gone unnoticed by Arteta in recent weeks as the Spain international continues to impress in an unorthodox centre-forward role.
“He's got that capacity to score goals, to send the danger and to move in the right moments into the right spaces," he said.
"Today was a different goal but then you ask him to play as an eight and he does it perfectly and understands the timing, the position, the run, so good.
“It's a joy to have players like this. I thought Ethan as well, he had some really good moments. Martinelli I think was superb as well, you see how much we missed him, that threat, that attacking purpose that he has every time he's on the ball. So, some good performances.”
Arsenal travel to Merseyside to face David Moyes’ revitalised Everton in the Premier League on Saturday (12.30pm) before welcoming Real Madrid to the Emirates next Tuesday.