"Do it when the team needs it, not when it's 3-0. That is what defines a top player," said Mikel Arteta after Bukayo Saka made the difference for Arsenal in the 3-1 win over Southampton.
Saka assisted Arsenal's first two goals before scoring himself and saying goodbye to the game. The English striker received a storm of compliments after his impressive performance at the Emirates. And Arteta will certainly have a hand in his words for his student.
"I definitely want to see Bukayo Saka continue to develop his leadership role. That is a maturity that every player has to go through.
He has played for Arsenal long enough to prove that role. When you want to get to the top, you have to know how to create game-changing moments, helping the home team overcome difficulties. Today, Bukayo Saka did that well" - the Spanish strategist commented on Saka.
The two assists against Southampton helped Saka increase his total number of passes in the Premier League this season to 7. He has surpassed Chelsea's Cole Palmer as the most creative player in the league. There is always controversy in the assist data, depending on the end of the other player. However, there is no denying the creativity in the chances Saka creates for his teammates.
The 23-year-old has created 27 chances in the Premier League this season, at least 4 more than any other player. He has also created 13 big chances in the league this season, at least five more than any other player.
Not only in terms of assisting, Saka is also increasingly improving himself in many aspects. "I think it's a step further than what he has been doing. Encouragingly, the number of chances Saka creates per 90 minutes continues to increase every season," Arteta added.
Saka has played very well and become a mainstay of the "Gunners" in the last 2 seasons. And the current numbers show that the England international is improving. Only Kevin De Bruyne has more Premier League assists than Saka in the last three seasons.
The 3-1 victory over Southampton helped The Gunners get 17 points after 7 matches. They are exactly 1 point behind leaders Liverpool in the rankings.
