Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that Bukayo Saka has earned the right to be captain of the club, Afrosport reports.
The 23-year-old has been the stand-in skipper in injured Martin Odegaard’s absence, wearing the armband in the Gunners’ last five matches, starting from the 2-2 draw with Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
In that time, he has scored two goals and provided three assists. One of the goals and two of the assists came in Saturday’s 3-1 win at home to Southampton, and Arteta asserted it is a sign the England winger of Nigerian heritage has stepped up his game.
“I think [Bukayo] is really enjoying the role and the way he’s driving the team, the respect and admiration he’s got from his teammates,” the Spanish tactician told the club website.
“If you want to be one of the best players, you have to turn up when things are difficult and when it matters, and he’s doing that at the moment.”
Arteta added on Saka’s leadership qualities: “That’s the maturity and the steps that players have to do. He’s been long enough in the team now, he’s earned the right to have that role, he believes in that. He has the capacity to change games, to decide games, like many other players. If you want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he’s certainly done that.
“It’s another step ahead in what he wants, especially when. Do it at home, do it away, do it in big games, do it in some other games, when the team needs it, not when it’s 3-0 – that’s what defines a top, top player.
“There are the stats and you cannot get away from that. What he’s doing at his age is unbelievable. We have many examples of that as well.”
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2024
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli, whom Saka assisted for a the second goal against Southampton, explained: “He’s a really nice guy as well so we’re really happy to have him here as one of the captains. He’s unbelievable, one of the best players in the world right now.”
Overall, Saka has scored three goals and provided seven assists in 10 competitive appearances this season.
He will now turn his attention to international duty with England for the UEFA Nations League ties against Greece and Finland on October 10 and 13 respectively.
