Bukayo Saka scored the crucial goal to put Arsenal into the Champions League final and Mikel Arteta is convinced he's back to his best at the perfect time in the Premier League title race
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal FC celebrate
Bukayo Saka scored the crucial goal against Atletico Madrid(Image: Vince Mignott/Getty Images)
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Bukayo Saka has given Arsenal a new “fear factor” in their push for glory.
Gunners winger Saka has been troubled by niggling injuries this season but is coming back to the boil at just the right time. Arsenal’s magical No7 also has an “aura” which makes him one of the most important players for club and country ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Saka has given Arsenal a huge lift in the run-in for the Premier League title race and scored the winner as the Gunners overcame Atletico Madrid to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years. England star Saka has looked sharp, fully fit and has played a pivotal role in the mood shift which has left Arsenal on a high and chasing down what would be a historic Double.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was full of praise for the Arsenal star and also the impact he is having on the rest of the squad - as well as striking fear into opponents. Arteta said: “Obviously his role has grown around the club, around the team and on the pitch towards the opponent as well. You sense that. He has got a presence now, he has got an aura. He has got something special.
“He is a different player, he is a player that can change a game at any moment. And creating that fear in the opponent is something important.”
Saka has been troubled by different issues with a knee problem, a hamstring injury last season and this campaign he has missed games because of Achilles tendinitis. It was always going to need Saka to push through the pain barrier to get to the other side and he has done that to be ready for the run-in.
The other side to Saka which is underappreciated is that he is a real leader because his teammates listen to him and respect him. That is why Arteta actually gives him the armband ahead of the likes of Declan Rice and Gabriel when skipper Martin Odegaard is not in the starting line-up.
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice look to have handed Thomas Tuchel an England dilemma
Arsenal's big game players are back fit and firing(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))
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It is also why Arteta says Saka has been worth the wait for him to come back fully fit after injury. Arteta added: “We would have loved to have him much more in recent weeks. But, I said to him: ‘If that’s the case, let’s use this in the best way - which is you are going to jump in fresh, motivated and with a different emotional state. You can really impact the team now.’
“I feel extremely lucky to find somebody at the club that you can lean into at any level, knowing that he's going to respond. Knowing that his heart is in the right place, knowing that everything that he does comes beyond certain values, certain education, certain principles.
“It's been a joy. On the human level, I think we know him. And on the football level, what he has provided to this club and what he did the other night is just remarkable.”
Arsenal are still waiting on Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino but both players are hoping to play minutes before the end of the season. They are facing a race against time to be fit for the Champions League final on May 30 but must prove themselves ahead of the World Cup to make their respective squads.
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