Mikel Arteta reveals Bukayo Saka wants to imitate Cristiano Ronaldo at Arsenal

Saka has been in fine form for the Gunners this season as well.

In light of the Arsenal star’s amazing start to the season, Mikel Arteta has revealed how Bukayo Saka aims to follow in the footsteps of his childhood hero, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Saka now has 18 goal contributions across all competitions after his goal and assist in Saturday’s thrilling 5-2 victory over West Ham. Only Mohamed Salah of Liverpool has more Premier League goal contributions than him (15).

When they host Manchester United at the Emirates on Wednesday night, Arteta will be hoping the Englishman extends his goal-scoring streak to four games. He also talked about Saka’s potential to emulate the Portuguese legend before what may be a crucial match in his team’s season.

”To look is always good,” said Mikel Arteta. “The way Cristiano started his career, and when he joined Manchester United, nobody probably expected in the first few seasons he would be able to do that.”

”It was about his mentality, his work ethic, how he developed his skill, his chemistry with his team and to play in a team that has the capacity as well to be dominant.”

“That is very, very important. I think Bukayo has got that context and if he is aiming for that, I think it is a positive thing.”

The 39-year-old Portuguese legend made his Red Devils debut in 2003 at the age of 18, and throughout the course of two stints, he made 236 PL appearances.

Before the completion of a world record move to Real Madrid, where he spent the best years of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo had racked up 103 Premier League goals and won three league titles with United.

Bukayo Saka still has a long way to go before he can equal Ronaldo’s stats. However, the 23-year-old seems to be headed in the right direction as he is getting better every year. His current manager, Arteta, emphasized this aspect, saying the winger will improve because ‘he wants more’.

”In terms of the numbers, we always see a shift in Bukayo every single year,” Arteta added. “He is providing something else. He is adding things to his game, he is more and more consistent, and his numbers in terms of impact in goals and assists is incredible at this stage of the season.”

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