
MIKEL ARTETA has expressed strong confidence in Bukayo Saka’s potential to progress into a world-class centre-forward, much like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 23-year-old Arsenal winger’s journey from being a Hale End talent to an international sensation has astonished many, including those within the club.
Initially starting as a left-back in the early days of Arteta’s tenure at the Emirates, Saka made his first official appearance for the Gunners six years ago this week.
This debut came at the age of 17 during a 1-0 Europa League win against Qarabag under the management of Unai Emery.
Saka has since evolved into a premium winger and a crucial player for both Arsenal and England, positioning him among the elite in football.
Arteta, however, envisions a scenario where Saka could transition from the wings to a central No. 9 role, akin to Ronaldo.
Now 39, Ronaldo is currently playing for Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr and gained prominence as a winger at Manchester United before evolving into one of the game’s most formidable strikers at Real Madrid.
When asked about the likelihood of a similar transition for Saka, Arteta responded:
“We are assessing these options.
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“This will depend on the skills of his teammates. For him to adopt a more central role instead of remaining out wide, another player must occupy the wide positions.
“The full-back, attacking midfielder, and No. 9 need to create the necessary space for this shift to occur.
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“I am definitely open to fostering the development of our players.”
After netting two goals and providing an assist in the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League victory over Monaco on Wednesday, Saka has now amassed 21 goal contributions in 21 matches across all competitions this season.
Since last season’s onset in the Champions League, only Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (18) and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr (16) have exceeded Saka’s total of 14 contributions.
With ten assists and five goals in the Premier League this season, he currently tops Europe’s leading five leagues in assists—surpassing Barcelona star Lamine Yamal (9) and Liverpool’s Mo Salah (8).
On Saka’s potential scoring goals, Arteta remarked: “We continuously set targets. Aiming for 30 or 40 goals is ambitious, but we must devise a strategy to attain it.
“It’s essential to create a plan that nurtures the player’s growth and maximizes his chances of hitting those targets.
I’m definitely open to continuing to develop our players.
Mikel Arteta
“This sometimes relates to role, positioning on the pitch, or other dynamics.
“When players possess a robust comprehension of the game, understand the spaces, and anticipate timing in their movements, they gain more freedom on the pitch.
“This enhanced decision-making creates uncertainty for the opponent and allows for greater freedom compared to prior seasons.”
Reflecting on his admiration for Ronaldo, Saka stated: “I draw strength from his mentality. He’s perpetually pursuing excellence, dedicating himself both on and off the pitch.
“He stands among the greatest players to ever grace the field and is truly exceptional.
“Although our playing styles differ, I consistently observe him to embrace the positive elements of his approach.”
Another product of the youth system, Myles Lewis-Skelly, aged 18, also made his Champions League debut against Monaco.
This young left-back may be in line for his first Premier League start against Everton tomorrow, with fellow emerging talent Ethan Nwaneri, 17, likely to start from the bench.
Full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori will be unavailable due to muscle injuries, while Brazilian centre-back Gabriel is expected to make his comeback.
I admire his mindset. He’s constantly striving for excellence, tirelessly working both on and off the pitch.
Saka on Ronaldo
Arteta acknowledged that he is now in a better position to integrate young talents into the first team due to the “unbelievable” atmosphere in the Gunners’ dressing room.
This represents a dramatic shift from the challenging environment he faced when he took the reins in December 2019.
The Spaniard stated: “They can be prepared, but the context within the team, dressing room, and timing needs to align…
“Currently, thanks to everyone’s tremendous dedication, we have fostered the right environment.
“They are well-supported and made to feel comfortable.
“The transition is significant, but they are proving their capability to cope with it.”
Strategies to Prevent Arsenal from Scoring on Corners

Arsenal has become a potent team in capitalizing on corner kicks.
Since the start of last season, the Gunners have scored 22 goals from set-piece situations—seven more than their closest rival, Manchester City, and eight more than league leaders Liverpool.
Two of these goals were scored against Manchester United, where Jurrien Timber and William Saliba found the net in the second half to secure a crucial victory as they chase Arne Slot’s side.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka orchestrated these plays, each registering seven assists from set-pieces since the beginning of the 2023/24 season, leading all players in this regard.
United legend Dimitar Berbatov humorously remarked that Arsenal has become the new Stoke City of the Premier League—a side famous for their proficiency in set-pieces under Tony Pulis.
Here are four strategies to thwart Arteta’s team during corner situations