Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hailed Bukayo Saka for the competitive edge he has built this season.
The 22-year-old Anglo-Nigerian star has been instrumental in the Gunners’ charge towards the Premier League title this term, netting his 16th goal in the top flight in their 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
It took his tally to 20 goals in all competitions, becoming the first Arsenal player to reach that mark since Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did with 29 goals during the 2019-20 season.
He is also the first English player to reach that milestone in an Arsenal shirt since Theo Walcott did during the 2012-13 season.
20 – Bukayo Saka is the first player to score 20 goals for Arsenal in a season (all competitions) since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2019-20 (29 goals) and the first Englishman to do so for the club since Theo Walcott in 2012-13 (21 goals). Sauce. pic.twitter.com/eYw4y74FZo
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 4, 2024
“The level of consistency compared to last year is very similar,” Arteta said of Saka
“Probably there are areas in the game where he’s become more effective. I see a different edge from him, the way he competes.
“Not the way he plays, but the way he competes, and he loves winning more than three months ago, six months ago, a year ago and now that is something that hopefully is in his system.”
Arsenal remain one point clear at top of the table ahead of Manchester City who have a game in hand.
