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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Mikel Arteta hails rare consistency of Bukayo Saka as Arsenal star continues superb run

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Bukayo Saka is capable of even more after continuing his fine run of form with two goals against Burnley.

Saka has now scored six goals in four games as Arsenal made it five wins in a row since their mid-season break to Dubai with a 5-0 win at Turf Moor.

The winger tormented Burnley and he has now been involved in 44 Premier League goals since the start of last season, which is a tally bettered only by Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.

Saka’s form is all the more remarkable given he is only 22, but Arteta believes the best is yet to come.

“We don’t really see it [in football],” said Arteta. “Especially forward players and wingers with that level of consistency and numbers.

“At his age it is something really strange to find but it is not a coincidence when you look at him every single day.

“The way he trains, the way he applies himself, the qualities that he has. And he can do more.”

Saka scored his first goal from the penalty spot, but his second was a brilliant finish with his weaker right foot.

Bukayo Saka shone as Arsenal hammered Burnley at Turf Moor (PA)

It makes the England star one of just five players to score at least seven Premier League goals with both feet since the start of last season.

“We try to make our players unpredictable,” said Arteta. “I’m sure that opponents are looking at us a lot and we have to find ways to create problems.

“He (Saka) has got this ability and he trains a lot on many different situations when he is in and around the box. Today he had two brilliant finishes again.”

The win was a big one for Arsenal, as they closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to just two points.

Arteta’s side have been excellent in front of goal after struggling earlier this season, and they have scored 21 goals in their past five games.

“We want more and we know how important it is to be up there in the goal difference,” he said.

“Every player that you bring [on], whether it is one minute or thirty minutes, the contribution they are willing to give to the team is really positive. Let’s keep doing it.

“Really happy with the performance, with the result and the individual and collective contribution each player as well. That was very, very good. And the fact that the team looked like it wanted more. It wasn’t satisfied.

“They wanted to score more, they didn’t want to concede a goal. I’m really pleased to hit that consistency. We want to dominate games and play in the opponents half as much as possible.

“I think the threat, the purpose, the activity and the connections of the players are flowing and they really want it. We have momentum now and we have to maintain it.”

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