Mikel Arteta has stressed there is still room for improvement in his Arsenal team, despite the Gunners sitting top of the Premier League, even Bukayo Saka who’s been outstanding all season.
Mikel Arteta said after the victory against Leeds that what his players do every single day will determine the outcome of the title race. How they behave, train, communicate and the energy that is brought.
Mikel Arteta has set a challenge for Bukayo Saka as the Arsenal boss believes the 21-year-old can still improve despite the brilliant string of performances the player has produced in 2023.
Bukayo Saka has arguably been Arsenal’s most consistent performer this season. His impressive goal-scoring form has led Arsenal to winning many games this campaign and also led to Saka’s first ever Premier League season with double figures for goals and assists.
The Arsenal winger has 12 goals & 10 assists in 29 appearances in the Premier League this season.
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Arteta said in an interview with Sky Sports:
“First of all, I think you have to recognise what Saka has been doing. The consistency that he has shown. At his age and at this level, it is something rare to see.
He is taking it with normality. If you ask me if he has room for improvement, I would say: ‘Yes – a lot.’
He’s never satisfied, he always wants more and he can still do a lot of things better and more efficiently. But we are really pleased to have him.”
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
Following Arsenal’s 4-1 win against Leeds United at the Emirates, Arsenal have extended their lead over Manchester City to 8 points. However, the Citizens do have a game in hand on the Gunners.
Arsenal lost to Manchester City earlier on in the season which closed the gap between the two title challengers to two points. But as games went on through March, Arsenal put together a run of seven consecutive victories in the league for the first ever time under Mikel Arteta at such a crucial stage of the season.
In contrast, Pep Guardiola’s side dropped points to Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.
However, despite Arsenal’s impressive run of winning games, they have crucial tests ahead of them as they line up to face the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.
When asked by Sky Sports about what could affect the title outcome, Mikel Arteta said:
“I think it’s going to be what do we do every single day. That’s what’s going to decide our outcome. We cannot control the outcome of other clubs.
What we can control is, what are we going to do every single day, how we behave, train, communicate and the energy we bring. The message that we send to our people as well.
Now it has to be about enjoying the last part of the season with enthusiasm, energy, with a real hunger to do and continue to do what we have done, and if possible, better.”
Arsenal travel to Anfield next to take on Liverpool in what will be a massive test for Mikel Arteta’s side, despite the Gunners currently sitting 30 points ahead of the Reds.
