“That’s the place we have to get him,” mentioned the Gunners boss earlier than the sport. “And if he misses the prospect, so be it. On the finish, the extra quantity we generate, the larger the likelihood of him scoring extra objectives.”
Saka’s strike towards Lille was a assured one-touch end and got here after he missed a late one-on-one alternative in Saturday’s Premier League victory over Leeds.
“He has been getting in nice positions, getting pictures, getting one-touch finishes and tap-ins,” added Arteta.
“That’s the form of unpredictability we’ve got with that participant, in any other case we all know how the opponent goes to defend him. He’s doing nicely, he might have had one other 4 or 5 objectives by now, simply. But when he continues like that, we all know.
“When he talks about scoring a certain quantity of objectives, he must be desirous about scoring a certain quantity of objectives per recreation. If that shifts, that mentality, he’ll get into these positions and rating extra objectives.”
Saka has scored 20 objectives in a season simply as soon as in his profession, which got here within the 2023-24 marketing campaign and 16 within the Premier League.
However the winger has additionally been in good goalscoring kind for England with 5 in his final 4 matches and scored a double within the 7-0 Nations League demolition of Croatia within the current worldwide break.
Saka is now on 19 objectives in main European competitions for Arsenal, solely behind Thierry Henry (42), whereas he has 9 assists within the Champions League which places him behind Henry (16) and Cesc Fabregas (14).
He has refused to reveal the targets he has set himself, however Arteta welcomed Saka’s response following his message to do extra in entrance of purpose.
The Spaniard mentioned: “I do not know if that is the case, however I’m very comfortable.
“He wasn’t feeling that good yesterday and at this time, as he had some kind of sickness. He wasn’t prepared to start out however he was actually eager to contribute to the crew if it was wanted and he got here on and made a big impact and delivered with actual high quality.”
Arteta revealed he additionally spoke to Saka after telling the media about his want for the participant to have a larger impression.
“After the press convention… I mentioned ‘Bukayo, I simply killed you within the press convention, good luck tomorrow’.
“He was laughing. He is aware of that we’ve got mentioned these form of issues and he takes it as a result of he desires to be the very best model of himself.
“As a way to try this, you must put massive targets and challenges and attempt to motive by working and being constant – and when it does not work, maintain going as a result of he has the flexibility to do it.”
