Bukayo Saka explains why Mikel Arteta’s tough standards are key to Arsenal’s success

Add as preferred source on Google

Bukayo Saka just gave an insight into what it’s like to work under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

It’s been a positive week for Saka, who is closing in on signing a new deal at Arsenal.

The winger’s new contract would make him one of Arsenal’s highest-paid players, and no one would argue that it’s not deserved.

Saka hasn’t looked back since graduating from Arsenal’s academy, going from a prodigy when Arteta first arrived to the Spaniard’s most important player.

• READ MORE: The shocking starting XI from Mikel Arteta’s first-ever Arsenal

Bukayo Saka appreciates how Mikel Arteta pushes him at Arsenal

Saka’s progression under Arteta is admirable, but not everything the Arsenal manager does is welcomed at Colney.

In an interview with Sky Sports, the 24-year-old admitted that the level Arteta expects from the squad is sometimes difficult to maintain.

“I think sometimes there’ll be days where you don’t like it, but you know, you’ll look back at it and be grateful because you need it,” Saka said of how hard Arteta works the squad.

The Hale End product elaborated by praising his manager’s expectations, understanding that without such a level, the progression wouldn’t be as stark.

“You know, if no one’s pushing you, especially in the days where you feel like you want to relax or what, then, you know, it’s not really going to be the best for you.”

The level that Arteta demands is why Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world right now, which, at times, might be gruelling for his players.

There’s hope that it’ll all be worth it by the end of the 2025/26 season, with Arsenal backed to win the Premier League title.

Arteta didn’t always know Saka’s best position

From a player hoping to make it at Arsenal to becoming the Gunners’ poster boy, it’s no surprise that Saka’s complaints about Arteta are minuscule.

Arteta named Saka in his leadership group, having worn the armband multiple times in recent years, showing how valued he is in N5.

While things between Arsenal and Saka couldn’t appear to be stronger, it wasn’t always that way, as Arteta admitted in a 2021 interview with Sky Sports.

After taking charge at Arsenal, the Spaniard revealed that it took him longer than perhaps expected to figure out how to best utilise Saka.

“It took me a while to figure him out,” Arteta said.

“That’s why I tried to play him in different positions, to see how he reacted.”

Saka went from a left-wing-back under Unai Emery to one of the best right-wingers in the world under Arteta, and what’s most exciting is that the best is yet to come.