Arteta on Saka development: ‘He can only get better’ | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal’s Premier League rivals that the only way is up for Bukayo Saka and he will only continue to improve.

The Gunners head into tomorrow’s match against Manchester United off the back of three wins in all competitions, scoring 13 in the process.

One of the architects of Arsenal’s return to form has been Bukayo Saka, who became the first Premier League player to register ten assists this season after the north Londoner’s thrashing of West Ham.

When told about Saka’s teammate Jorginho’s comments, where the Italian said the Englishman has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or, the Spaniard believes comments like this can only be positive driving force:

“They train with him every day. They are in the dressing room with them,” Arteta said. “For a player to have these kind of words about a teammate is really positive. It shows you how much they believe in him and the potential.

The 42-year-old was also asked about Saka’s consistent improvement in his output, with his tally of goals and assists increasing with every passing season. Arteta believes the 23-year-old is only going to get better, and is showing constant development similar to his idol Cristiano Ronaldo:

“Yeah, in terms of the numbers, but we always see a shift in Bukayo every single year. He is providing something else.

“He is adding things to his game, he is more and more consistent and, as you mention now, obviously 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 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.

“But again, 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 B has got that context and if he is aiming for that, I think it is a positive thing.”