Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faced the media ahead of his side’s Europa League clash against Benfica tomorrow.
The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw in the first-leg last week. Emile Smith Rowe conceded a penalty which was converted by Pizzi 10 minutes into the second half.
Bukayo Saka, thankfully, equalised a couple of minutes later, and Arteta has now claimed that the teenager has been doing a lot of unusual things on the pitch in recent weeks.
He told Arsenal.com: “His form in recent months shows that he’s a very important player for us.
“I think he’s getting better and better, his performance levels have been really consistent, so that makes him for sure one of the most important players in recent months.
“It is very unusual but he’s been doing a lot of unusual things. He’s dealing with things at his age in a very unusual way, but that’s why he’s showing what he’s showing, because his maturity is above his age and so is his intelligence as well.”
Arsenal Insider’s view
Saka’s maturity at such a young age is extremely unusual. He has, at times, looked far more accomplished at the top level than some of our senior players, which really is incredible news for Arsenal going forward.
There is absolutely no doubt that Saka will go on to have a fine career at the top-level. He has all the qualities to be one of the best players in world football soon, but Arteta should manage him carefully.
Saka has played an awful amount of games already for his age. We can’t afford to burn him out, but considering the way he has been playing in recent weeks, Arteta cannot give him a break either, which makes things really difficult.
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