Mikel Arteta has highlighted Bukayo Saka's remarkable determination to elevate his performance as Arsenal prepare to defend their Premier League title. The 25-year-old winger's comeback from an Achilles tendon injury that disrupted last season has impressed the Gunners manager, who noted an immediate shift in the player's mentality upon his return to training.
Saka cut short his summer break to rejoin Arsenal's preparations early, a decision that underscored his hunger to reclaim his best form. That commitment yielded dividends in the opening fixtures, with the England international scoring against Coventry and Aston Villa—his first back-to-back league goals since November 2024. Arteta detected the change straight away. "I noticed it straight away," the manager said. "The fact that he wanted to come back early was already a great sign, as well as the way he prepared during the summer."
Saka's Impact on Arsenal's Title Push
The winger's presence carries statistical weight in Arsenal's ambitions. During the 2025-2026 season, the Gunners won 7% more of their matches when Saka featured, underlining his value to the squad, especially following the club's failure to secure a world-class striker during the transfer window. Arteta believes Saka's renewed focus represents the catalyst needed to propel him to another level. "Things happen in your football career and then you need a certain motivation, or a little push sometimes, to take it to a different level," he explained. "There are very good indications that Saka is giving that make us believe this is what will happen."
Chelsea visit the Emirates on Sunday in a fixture that already carries significant title-race implications, with both sides having claimed opening-day victories. Arteta has warned that Enzo Maresca's side will pose a formidable threat under their new manager. "I think they have everything it takes to be at the top of the Premier League table," Arteta stated. "Knowing him, and knowing the history of the club and the quality of their squad, and the fixture schedule they will face compared to the other teams, it is very likely that this will be the case." Chelsea's absence from European competition grants them a fixture advantage that Arteta acknowledges as a significant factor.
Three Spanish Managers Shape the Season
Interestingly, three Spanish managers now lead Premier League teams this season: Arteta at Arsenal, Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, and Andoni Iraola at Liverpool. The trio formed a unique bond, having played together aged eight for a youth club in San Sebastian. Arteta attributes their shared Basque heritage to a collective resilience and toughness. "We have toughness and endurance, we clearly dealt with a lot of things within the country too, which strengthened us and made us different," he reflected. That shared background may yet prove influential as their clubs battle for supremacy across the season ahead.
