Arteta: Saka’s renewed drive can take Arsenal to another level

Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka’s determination to improve has surprised him and could help Arsenal make another step forward as they defend their Premier League title.

The 25-year-old winger brought forward the end of his summer break to return to training with the squad, and his commitment has already been rewarded with goals against Coventry and Aston Villa.

Those strikes marked the first time Saka had scored in consecutive league matches since November 2024. He had been affected by an Achilles tendon injury during the previous season, with its impact also limiting his involvement for England at the World Cup. He started only three of the national team’s eight matches.

Although Saka has not yet reached his best level in the 2025-26 campaign, Arsenal have won 7% more of their matches when he has featured. His importance has increased further after the club failed to sign a world-class striker during the transfer window.

Arteta said Saka’s early return to work was an immediate indication of his mindset.

“I noticed that straight away,” the Arsenal manager said, in comments highlighted by ESPN.

“The fact that he wanted to come back early was already a great sign, as well as the way he prepared during the summer.”

Arteta added: “Things happen in your football career and then you need a certain motivation, or sometimes a small push, to take it to a different level.”

“There are some really positive signs that Bukayo is giving us to believe that this is going to happen,” he said.

Saka will have the chance to continue his scoring run when Arsenal host Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Both London rivals have won their opening two matches, giving the early-season meeting the feel of a significant contest despite the campaign still being at an early stage.

Arteta believes Chelsea can emerge as a major force under their new manager, Xabi Alonso. The club’s absence from European competition means Alonso can concentrate on the Premier League, a factor Arteta believes could benefit them over the course of the season.

“I think they have all the ingredients to be at the top of the Premier League table,” Arteta said.

“Knowing him, knowing the history of the club and the quality of their squad, and looking at the schedule they will face compared with the other teams, it is very likely that will be the case.”

Arteta, Alonso and Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola are the three Spanish coaches involved in the Premier League this season. The trio have been friends since they played together for a small club in San Sebastian at the age of eight.

Arteta believes growing up in the Basque Country helped develop their resilience and toughness.

“We have resilience and endurance. We clearly dealt with a lot of things within the country as well, and that made us stronger and made us different – not better, but different in a certain way,” he said.

“We used that upbringing and those values to probably be more prepared when we have to face difficult moments and challenges, and to move forward and overcome them.”