Mikel Arteta will be overjoyed about Bukayo Saka nearing a return to the pitch for Arsenal after being sidelined with a hamstring injury for months.
Declan Rice reacted to Saka’s return to training by expressing his happiness, as did his teammates as the England international has been missed by the Gunners during his absence.
As Arsene Wenger claimed, Saka is “world-class” and naturally, Mikel Arteta found it a challenge to ensure his Arsenal side remain as consistent as they have been previously while he was unavailable for selection.
Thankfully for the 23-year-old, he now has a chance to do what he does best very soon.
Having been an ever-present figure in Arteta’s Arsenal side over the years, Bukayo Saka would have found it extremely challenging to watch his boyhood club from the sidelines.
- READ MORE: What Arsenal’s starting XI was when Bukayo Saka made his Gunners debut as he nears injury return now
Mikel Arteta reveals Bukayo Saka’s leadership during injury at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta might also have feared how Saka would react to being unable to play football for a long time and whether his mood could have an impact on the dressing room.
Jeremie Frimpong called Saka one of Arsenal’s protagonists and how the FA Cup winner would have conducted himself behind the scenes was a responsibility he had to undertake. With young players such as Ethan Nwaneri looking up to Saka as well, he had to step up as a leader despite facing adversity.
Arsenal fans will be delighted to hear that Mikel Arteta revealed that Saka spoke to youngsters like Nwaneri, supported his teammates, was a positive presence and acted like a leader.
Arteta said via HaytersTV: “He’s been great. For example, with Ethan, with other players and the support he’s given, the time that he spends with them, giving them advice, being around the team, how positive he’s been always around it, it’s good, it’s good to see a side of a player that has a huge role in the team when he’s not been able to be in practice, when he’s not been able to contribute in games and how he actually behaves.”
“That’s why B’s [Bukayo] so special.”
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What people close to Bukayo Saka noticed about him during injury spell
Andrea Berta aims to renew Saka’s contract and unsurprisingly so as he is an Arsenal legend in the making.
But perhaps another reason why the Ealing-born forward is as important as he is to the North Londoners is due to his leadership qualities.
According to the Daily Mail, people close to Saka made two observations about him during his time out injured.
- Saka’s injury has given him a renewed hunger
- Saka’s time out injured has made him realise how much he loves his profession
It seems like Mikel Arteta is set to get his hands on a version of Saka who is more determined than ever to take Arsenal to the top.
The Emirates faithful have every reason to be excited as the Englishman could be set to hit heights he has never hit before.
