Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal inside joke about Bukayo Saka after Ballon d’Or comment

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Bukayo Saka is a fan favourite at Arsenal, and is equally beloved behind the scenes. 

Arsenal will need Bukayo Saka to be firing on all cylinders on Wednesday, when they will welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium for a crucial Premier League fixture. 

The Gunners desperately need to put three points on the board so that they do not give Liverpool the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Paul Merson believes Arsenal will thrash Manchester United, and if Saka can produce his best then they may well do exactly that.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house

Arsenal squad show faith in Bukayo Saka

Saka is a talismanic figure in this Arsenal team. The Hale End academy graduate is the most productive attacker in the squad and has delivered big goals and assists at key moments on many occasions. 

Saka is also a part of the Arsenal leadership group. The fact that he has achieved so much despite still being just 23-years-old is rather extraordinary, and suggests that there is more still to come. 

Jorginho even believes Saka could win the Ballon d’Or one day. 

In his recent press conference, Arteta was asked to respond to the Italian midfielder’s comments about Saka.

He said: “They train with him every day, they are in the dressing room with him, so for a teammate to have these kind of words is always really positive. That shows you how much they believe in him, and the potential that they see for him.”

Mikel Arteta confirms Bukayo Saka nickname

Jorginho also revealed that Saka has been given a new nickname in the Arsenal dressing room. 

The winger is referred to as ‘pesudo’, which means ‘big foot’, and is an ironic dig at his poor technique. Jorginho confessed that, of course, Saka does not have poor technique, but the moniker is used to wind him up in a joking way.

Arteta has now confirmed that he is aware of this, as he added: “I’ve heard that a few times. To be fair, B’s got a few [nicknames]. That’s from the Brazilian group, I think.”

Nicknames and jokes all serve to build a sense of camaraderie in a dressing room, which Arteta will be keen to encourage as he is a big believer in the value of having a close squad who know each other well.