Bukayo Saka: Arsenal winger’s consistency is rare but he has lots of room to improve, says Mikel Arteta

Bukayo Saka has started every Premier League game this season to help Arsenal build an eight-point lead at the top; only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have more goals and assists combined than the England winger; “We are really pleased to have him,” said Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has praised Bukayo Saka for the “rare” ability he has shown to perform at such a high level on such a consistent basis but says the Arsenal winger has “a lot” of room for improvement.

Saka has been a key member of the Arsenal side that sits eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, scoring 12 goals and claiming 10 assists in 28 games.

Only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have more goals and assists combined than Saka in the top flight this season, while he has also shone on the international stage with England, starring at the World Cup and scoring a brilliant goal in the 2-0 win over Ukraine on Sunday.

Arteta has started Saka in every one of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures this season, and talks are ongoing over a new deal to replace the contract which expires in 2024.

When asked if there was further improvement to come from the 21-year-old, the Gunners manager said: “Yes.

“First of all, I think you have to recognise what he’s been doing. The consistency he’s shown at his age and at this level is something rare to see. He’s taken it with normality.

“If you ask me if he has room for improvement, I would say: ‘Yes – a lot.’ He’s never satisfied, he always wants more and he can still do a lot of things better and more efficiently.

Kolo Toure, the former Arsenal defender who was part of the Invincibles – the last Gunners side to lift the Premier League title, back in 2004 – says his old club should convince Saka to remain at the Emirates for the next decade.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Toure said: “First advice to Arsenal is to make sure Bukayo Saka is signed for 10 years.

“Arsenal made a few mistakes in my opinion when they had homegrown players or key players that really love the club and they let them go.

“You have to keep those players because these are the players that are going to lead the team for you. These are the players you can rely on.”