>
Mikel Arteta is urging his Arsenal team to do MORE to protect Bukayo Saka – who limped with a blow to Nottingham Forest last month – and stressed that the better the England star gets, the more he will aim
- Bukayo Saka stumbled away with a knock against Nottingham Forest two weeks ago
- The winger has since recovered and was selected in England’s World Cup squad
- Mikel Arteta admitted that the better Saka gets, the more players will target him
- The Spaniard insisted his Arsenal players could do more to protect their star
Mikel Arteta has warned Bukayo Saka that the better he gets, the more often he will be targeted, but the manager insists Saka’s Arsenal team-mates can do more to protect him.
The English forward recently stumbled against Nottingham Forest after some tough challenges this season.
“The better the players get, the bigger the target gets as people try to find ways to stop him,” Arteta said ahead of tonight’s trip to Wolves.
Mikel Arteta admitted his Arsenal players could do more for star striker Bukayo Saka . to protect
“It’s the umpires’ job to deal with that.” But Arteta said there are ways Arsenal can help Saka avoid further punishment.
“There’s a part we can do better and we need to be more intelligent… things he has to do on the pitch,” he said.
“The timing, the decision making, the space you’ve generated for that action and the understanding and knowledge of what’s going to happen before it happens.”
When Arteta was asked for examples of what should change, Arteta suggested that Saka’s teammates could be more forgiving with their serve, explaining, “Sometimes the kind of ball we give him and when we give him certain balls.”
Saka, 21, stumbled away with a punch during the Gunners’ clash with Nottingham Forest last month
The England star has since recovered and been included in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad
Saka has one final exam today in Molineux before she can join Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup. Arteta warned his players on their way to Qatar not to think about avoiding injuries.
“I always tell them that if you think about an injury, it’s probably going to happen,” Arteta said.
“Get it out of your head, you’re a top athlete, this risk is always there for you, so commit to your work and every action, and the risk will be reduced.”
About Saka, Arteta said: ‘The better the players get, the bigger the target they become’
Last summer’s European Championship ended with Saka missing the crucial penalty against Italy. Arteta believes the way football has gathered around the 21-year-old ‘helped him develop into a better player’.
Saka has continued to take penalties under pressure for Arsenal and Arteta backed him to perform for England as well. The manager has spoken to Saka about living under the pressure of such pivotal moments.
“If you want to take your game to the next level and win football matches every three days… you have to deal with it,” Arteta said.