Arteta picks out Arsenal player who is doing ‘really well’ under him
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has applauded the attitude of Bukayo Saka, who has adapted to his system ‘really well’, despite having to play out of position at left-back.
The Gunners were looking to secure a return to the Champions League after the exit of Arsene Wenger in May last year but things did not go according to plan under the guidance of Unai Emery.
The Spaniard did not leave Arsenal with his reputation unharmed but one thing he was recognized for was his willingness to give young players a chance.
It was that philosophy from Emery which saw Bukayo Saka gain a spot in the first team at the start of the season.
The youngster produced a solid display the last time Arsenal and Manchester United faced off in a 1-1 draw earlier in the campaign.
A few months on after that show, Saka is now taking starts for granted after injuries to Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac handed him the chance to be deployed at left-back.
The youngster has been playing in that position so far under Mikel Arteta and the new Arsenal boss has praised Saka for his professional attitude.
“He’s learning that you are able to adapt and that you are able to sacrifice for the team, and [you learn that you] don’t use excuses,” he said, as per Arsenal.com
“If you are moved, to say ‘OK, now if I do not play good, I have the right excuse because this is not my position’. It’s the complete opposite, try to learn, try to pick things up straight away and try to be more productive for the team, and I think he [Saka] has done it really, really well.
“Those game moments, you have to read them and when you play more games and you become more mature, you start to make better decisions all the time because you can sniff where the danger is, depending on the result, how many minutes are played and what happened in the last two actions. And we have to help him to do that.
“I love working with young players. The last few years I worked with so many of them and it’s so fulfilling when they are willing and they ask the right questions, and they want more and they are eager to learn.
“It’s incredible because when that [development] really happens, afterwards, for them, it’s very inspirational.”
