Mikel Arteta has expressed strong confidence that Bukayo Saka can raise his performance for Arsenal this season. The manager's comments, reported by ESPN, come as the Gunners prepare for a key London derby against Chelsea this Sunday at Emirates Stadium.
Saka, now 25, endured a challenging period last campaign with an Achilles injury that carried over into England's World Cup involvement. He was limited to just three starts in the national team's eight tournament matches. Determined to reset, the winger cut his summer break short to report early for club duty. That commitment has translated onto the pitch, with goals against Coventry and Aston Villa marking the first time he has scored in back-to-back Premier League games since November 2024. Arteta took note of the player's dedication. "I noticed that straight away," Arteta said. "The fact that he wanted to come in early was already a great sign and there was the way he prepared during the summer."
What is Saka's importance to Arsenal?
Bukayo Saka's influence on Arsenal's results is quantifiable. During the 2025-26 season, the team's win percentage was seven percent higher in matches where he was involved. His return to scoring form is a major boost for a squad that, according to Arteta, was unable to recruit an elite-level forward during the recent transfer window. This places additional responsibility on Saka's shoulders, but his manager sees it as a catalyst. "Things happen in your career and then you need certain motivation, or a little pinch sometimes, to take it to a different level," Arteta explained. Saka has the immediate chance to extend his scoring streak against Chelsea, a fixture that already carries significant weight.
Why is the Chelsea match so significant?
This weekend's clash is shaping up as an early title showdown. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have won their opening two fixtures of the 2025-26 Premier League season. The Gunners currently sit second in the standings with a perfect record of three wins from three games, having scored six goals and conceded just one. Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, can focus entirely on domestic competition due to their absence from European action. Arteta, who knows Alonso well, believes the Blues have all the necessary components to challenge at the top. "They have every ingredient to be in the highest part of the table," Arteta stated, acknowledging Chelsea's squad quality and favourable schedule. He considers it very possible they will be among the frontrunners.
How does Arteta's background shape his approach?
The Premier League managerial landscape now features a notable Basque connection. Arteta has been joined this season by fellow Spaniards Xabi Alonso at Chelsea and Andoni Iraola at Liverpool. The three have been friends since they were eight-year-olds playing for a small club in San Sebastian. Arteta believes their upbringing in that region forged a particular resilience. He said it gave them tough skin from dealing with challenges and reinforced their character, making them different. They used their education and values to be better prepared for difficult moments, Arteta explained. This shared background adds another layer to the tactical battle awaiting on Sunday.
Arsenal's strong start has been achieved despite some injury concerns. Key defender William Saliba remains sidelined, as does Cristhian Mosquera. Their absence will be tested against a Chelsea attack that has also begun the season strongly. Before that derby, however, Arsenal must handle a midweek trip to face Sunderland, who are 12th in the table, on September 12th. Fans can track the team's upcoming fixtures and check the latest injuries list on the club's official pages. The immediate focus is maintaining momentum ahead of the weekend's marquee match at the Emirates.
