Saka names Arteta’s ‘perfect’ change that has helped Arsenal win more games

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Arsenal returned to winning ways with a brilliant performance against Leeds United last night. Bukayo Saka was once again the star of the show, and his Hale End pal Emile Smith Rowe earned a ton of plaudits too.

Mikel Arteta has put a lot of faith in the youngsters. His change to start both Saka and Smith Rowe alongside more experienced players against Chelsea on Boxing Day changed everything, and we have lost just twice in the league since.

Saka has revealed now that Arteta has found the right balance between young players and the experienced ones. He believes that the reason behind Arsenal’s good form since Christmas – apart from our two losses – is all down to the Gunners boss’ change in team selection.

Saka: Arteta has found the right balance

When asked about the importance of having the likes of Aubameyang and David Luiz alongside him and Smith Rowe, he said: “It’s perfect. Because as a young player you get experience around you and people to guide you when things aren’t going well.

“They can give you confidence, instructions and things like that. I just feel like he (Arteta) has got the right balance for us at the moment.” (Independent)

Arsenal Insider’s view:

After seven games without a win in November and December, Arteta had to change something. He boldly started Smith Rowe and Saka together against a strong Chelsea side, and that completely changed our fortunes.

Smith Rowe has started every game in the league since and it looks like that will not change any time soon. Him and Saka have been thriving at the top-level together, but a lot of it is down to the support they are receiving from the seniors around them.

The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, David Luiz, Granit Xhaka and Alexandre Lacazette have given Saka and Smith Rowe the freedom they need to thrive – even when the experienced pros were struggling themselves.

That completely galvanised the team and the youngsters’ brilliant form brought the best out of the older lads as well.

It really has worked out for us in recent weeks and Arteta deserves a ton of credit for finding the right balance. Hopefully, the experienced players can find the kind of consistency that Saka and Smith Rowe have shown over the last six or seven weeks.