Arsenal’s squad is filled with top-class players.
Mikel Arteta is constantly accused of spending a ton of money, but what people don’t give him credit for is the type of players he has brought in.
Most of the Arsenal manager’s signings have been successes over the years, while Arteta has been incredible at developing the young players at the club as well.
One of them is among the biggest reasons why the Gunners are challenging for every trophy that’s up for grabs.
Wayne Rooney says Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is a game-changer
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s most important player.
The England international came through the ranks at the academy and was introduced into the first team by former Gunners boss Unai Emery.
Arteta transformed him into a right-winger, and Saka is now one of the best players in the world in that position.
Wayne Rooney played with and against some incredible attackers during his time, but back then, most elite players played through the middle.
Now, the Manchester United legend claimed that Erling Haaland and Jean-Philippe Mateta are the strikers he enjoys watching these days, but the real game-changers are the wingers – like Saka.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his podcast, Rooney said: “Numbers nines have gone off the game.
“There’s Cole Palmer, there’s Saka, there’s Salah… The best players, the game-changers, come from the side.”
Arsenal need Bukayo Saka to stay fit
Saka has had a very difficult 2025.
Just a week before the turn of the year, the Englishman suffered a serious hamstring injury that kept him out of action for three months.
Then, in the second game of this season, Saka hurt his other hamstring and spent a spell on the sidelines.
That has been really hard for him as well as for Arsenal, but he is back now and looked very good when he came on against Manchester City.
Arteta will be hoping that Saka can stay fit for the rest of the campaign. If he does, Arsenal’s chances of success will increase significantly.
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