Arsenal News: Mikel Arteta Disclose Bukayo Saka ‘Problem’ Fears Amid 21 G/A Season

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures as he speaks with Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match...CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶ 

Bukayo Saka has enjoyed a strong season so far this term yet Mikel Arteta admits the Arsenal boss could have a ‘problem’ on his hands if the manager has to do one thing.

The Gunners welcome Everton to Emirates Stadium this Saturday looking to put pressure on early leaders Liverpool after spurning a chance to do so last Sunday. Saka could not help the north London team secure three points on their travels across the capital to take on Fulham.

Arsenal had to take a 1-1 draw at Fulham when they could have cut their gap to Liverpool in the Premier League table to four points, instead of six, after the Reds’ trip to Everton for the Merseyside derby was postponed. Liverpool can now go nine clear with their game in hand.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is closed down by Antonee Robinson of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cott…

Mikel Arteta thinks having to motivate Arsenal star Bukayo Saka would be a ‘problem’

Saka failed to score or assist a goal at Fulham, marking only the fifth time across Arsenal’s 15 games that the 23-year-old did not influence a goal in a Premier League fixture this season. It was also the second time that the attacker did not influence a goal in back-to-back games.

Arteta has seen Saka shine regularly this season with five goals and 10 assists through his 14 Premier League appearances. The winger even has nine goals and 12 assists for 21 total goal contributions in 21 fixtures across all competitions thanks to his Champions League exploits.

Arsenal boss Arteta also believes Saka has everything he needs at Emirates Stadium to keep his output high without the coach needing to get involved. Arteta would even consider it to be a ‘problem’ if the Spaniard had to step in to motivate Saka to lead Arsenal’s title dreams.

“There’s still everything to do and everything to win,” Arteta outlined in his pre-game press conference this Friday. “That’s the motivation, to keep pushing the football club to a higher level. If I have to motivate him, that’s a problem.”

Bukayo Saka and Mikel Arteta have only won Arsenal one FA Cup title

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is instructed by Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC an...CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶ 

Saka is one of the absolutely integral talismans at Arsenal who Arteta relies heavily on to put them in a position to bid for the Premier League title, as well as target their first Champions League crown and add yet more FA Cup honours to the trophy cabinet at Emirates Stadium.

But Saka and Arteta have so far only added one FA Cup to Arsenal’s trophy cabinet since the England forward broke through under Unai Emery and the Spaniard replaced his compatriot in charge. Emery gave Saka his senior Arsenal bow in the Europa League in November 2018.

Arteta replaced Emery in charge in December 2019 and led Arsenal to a record 14th FA Cup title that term, with Saka playing in each round bar the semi-final with Manchester City and final against Chelsea. So, Saka is yet to win a trophy with Arsenal after appearing in the final.

Arsenal have since lost in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup twice over the past four seasons. The Gunners have also not made the semi-final of the EFL Cup since 2021/22, yet Saka could help to change that when Crystal Palace visit Emirates Stadium on December 18.

The Champions League remains the dream title for many Arsenal fans, though, having lost in their only final against FC Barcelona in 2005/06. Arteta and Saka led Arsenal to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on their return to UEFA’s elite team tournament last season.