Mikel Arteta finally has the majority of his Arsenal squad fit and available again.
After months of battling injuries across multiple positions, the Gunners are now close to full strength at the perfect time in the season.
Only Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino remain sidelined, while several important players have recently returned to action.
One of them is Bukayo Saka, and the Arsenal manager believes the winger has now reached a level where opponents genuinely fear him.
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Mikel Arteta suggests Bukayo Saka creates fear in Arsenal’s opponents
Saka has developed into one of the most dangerous attackers in world football under Mikel Arteta.
The England international is no longer simply viewed as a talented young winger with potential – he is the player opposition teams spend entire matches trying to stop.
That influence has only grown over the last few years as Saka has repeatedly delivered in huge moments for Arsenal.
Even after missing several weeks through injury recently, the winger returned looking sharp, fresh and decisive almost immediately.
Arteta believes Saka’s importance now extends far beyond goals and assists. He has claimed that the Arsenal number seven has an aura that creates fear in the opposition.
He said, as per The Express and Star: “Obviously, his role has grown around the club, around the team and on the pitch towards the opponent as well.
“You sense that. He has got a presence now, he has got an aura. He has got something special.
“He is a different player, he is a player who can change a game at any moment. And creating that fear in the opponent is something important.
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A fit and firing Saka will help Arsenal win the double
Timing is everything in football, and Saka returning fully fit now could completely change Arsenal’s season.
The Gunners are top of the Premier League table and are also preparing for a Champions League final against PSG.
Few players in world football are capable of deciding massive matches on their own the way Saka can.
When he is fully fit, Arsenal instantly become more dangerous, more confident and far more unpredictable in attack.
If Saka continues performing at his best over the next few weeks, he could be the player who helps Arsenal complete a historic Premier League and Champions League double.
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