‘Remarkable’, ‘so willing to learn’: Mikel Arteta blown away by 19-year-old Arsenal player

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has waxed lyrical about Gunners ace Bukayo Saka, believing the sky’s the limit for the Emirates Stadium academy graduate.

The 19-year-old enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season at Arsenal in 2019-20, clocking up 39 appearances in all competitions and weighing in with four goals and 11 assists.

This term, meanwhile, Saka has made five appearances for the Gunners, with one goal and one assist, and has also been named in the England squad, making his debut against Wales in midweek.

“Absolutely [it’s been crazy] and this is down to all the good work that is being done at Hale End with him, with all the coaches, all the education that he’s been through here and then the type of character and player that he is,” Arteta told the Arsenal website.

“The way he’s maturing, the way he’s assimilating everything that’s happened to him in the last few months is remarkable. Physically he has evolved. He looks a little bit older. But then how he’s able to read the game, the situation that happens to him, how he resolves the situation, how long it takes to make those decisions.

“His communication has improved a lot towards his team-mates as well because he feels more part of the team, he’s integrated, he feels important in the team I think. Then what he’s able to do with the ball in the final third when things get a little bit difficult, and how he approaches those moments is probably the biggest part of his game.

“What I like about him is that he’s very versatile, he’s really intelligent and that he adapts and has a lot of courage to play the game. It doesn’t matter which position he plays, he acts exactly the same way. He’s so willing to learn and ask the right questions that he can set his own limits.”

Saka was named in England’s starting XI in Thursday’s game against the Dragons at Wembley and played 76 minutes before being replaced by Arsenal teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

After a nervy start, he grew into the game and looked more steady and solid, even going close to scoring with a deflected effort in the second half.

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Whilst last season was mostly difficult for Arsenal – until right at the end anyway – Saka’s breakthrough was one of the main positives, and he’s certainly going from strength to strength.

Securing his services on a long-term contract was just one of several coups for the Gunners over the past few months and the future certainly seems bright in the red half of North London.