MIKEL ARTETA expresses strong confidence in Bukayo Saka’s potential to develop into a world-class centre-forward, akin to his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 23-year-old Arsenal winger’s journey from a Hale End talent to an international sensation has astonished many, including those within the club.

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Originally starting as a left-back during the initial phase of Arteta‘s management at the Emirates, Saka marked his inaugural official appearance for the Gunners six years ago this week.

This debut took place at the age of 17 during a 1-0 Europa League triumph over Qarabag under former manager Unai Emery.

Saka has since flourished into a top-tier winger and a crucial figure for both Arsenal and England, placing him among the elite in football.

Arteta envisions a scenario where Saka could transition from the wings to a central No. 9 position, following Ronaldo’s path.

Now at 39, Ronaldo plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, having risen to prominence as a winger at Manchester United before becoming one of the game’s all-time greatest strikers at Real Madrid.

When asked about the likelihood of a similar transition for Saka, Arteta responded:

“We are exploring these options.

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“The decision will depend on the abilities of his teammates. For him to take on a central role rather than staying wide, others must occupy the wide positions.

“The full-back, attacking midfielder, and No. 9 must create the necessary spaces for this transition to occur.

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“I am definitely open to furthering the development of our players.”

After netting two goals and contributing an assist in the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League victory over Monaco on Wednesday, Saka has tallied 21 goal involvements in 21 matches across all competitions this season.

Since the beginning of last season in the Champions League, only Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (18) and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr (16) have surpassed Saka’s total of 14 goals.

Boasting ten assists and five goals in the Premier League this season, he leads Europe’s top five leagues in assists—outperforming Barcelona star Lamine Yamal (9) and Liverpool’s Mo Salah (8).

Regarding Saka’s potential scoring goals, Arteta noted: “We continually set targets. Aiming for 30 or 40 goals is admirable, but we need to figure out a way to achieve that.

“It’s crucial to devise a plan that fosters the player’s growth and maximizes his opportunities for those milestones.

I’m certainly open to furthering the development of our players.

Mikel Arteta

“Sometimes it pertains to role, positioning on the pitch, or other considerations.

“When players grasp the game well, understand the spaces, and predict their movement timing, they gain additional freedom on the pitch.

“This improved decision-making generates uncertainty for the opponent and affords them greater latitude than in previous seasons.”

Speaking about his admiration for Ronaldo, Saka stated: “I draw strength from his mentality. He constantly pursues excellence and works hard on and off the pitch.

“He is one of the finest players to ever grace the game and is simply incredible.

“While our playing styles may differ, I continuously observe him to absorb the positive elements of his game.”

Another product of the youth system, Myles Lewis-Skelly, aged 18, also made his Champions League debut against Monaco.

This young left-back may earn his first Premier League start against Everton tomorrow, with fellow rising talent Ethan Nwaneri, 17, likely to start on the bench.

Full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori will be unavailable due to muscle injuries, whereas Brazilian centre-back Gabriel is expected to make his return.

I admire his mentality. He’s always striving for excellence, dedicating relentless effort both on and off the field.

Saka on Ronaldo

Arteta acknowledged that he is now in a better position to incorporate young talents into the first team due to the “unbelievable” atmosphere within the Gunners’ dressing room.

This is a stark contrast to the challenging environment he faced when he took over in December 2019.

The Spaniard commented: “They can be prepared, but the context within the team, dressing room, and timing must align…

“Currently, because of the immense efforts made by everyone, we have created the right environment.

“They receive ample support and feel comfortable and secure.

“The transition is substantial, yet they are showcasing their capability to handle it.”

Strategies to Prevent Arsenal from Scoring on Corners

Arsenal has become a formidable team when it comes to capitalizing on corner kicks.

Since last season, the Gunners have scored 22 goals from corner situations—seven more than their nearest competitors, Manchester City, and eight more than league leaders Liverpool.

Two of those goals were scored against Manchester United, as Jurrien Timber and William Saliba netted in the second half to secure an essential victory in their pursuit of Arne Slot’s team.

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka spearheaded these plays, each contributing seven assists from set-pieces since the beginning of the 2023/24 season, topping all players in this aspect.

United legend Dimitar Berbatov humorously remarked that Arsenal has transformed into the new Stoke City of the Premier League—a team well-known for its prowess in set-pieces under Tony Pulis.

Here are four strategies to prevent Arteta’s squad from succeeding in corner situations