Mikel Arteta has issued a warning to Arsenal’s rivals, declaring that Bukayo Saka is finally playing without pain as the title race enters its most critical phase.
The winger, who has been managed carefully through a persistent Achilles issue for much of the campaign, looked back to his explosive best during a decisive 45-minute stint against Fulham.
Arteta confirmed that the physical barriers that had limited the England international’s output in recent months appear to have finally lifted.
“I think the pain is gone, and that was obviously something that was restricting his capacity to deliver certain actions,” Arteta said. “Today he felt loose, he felt relaxed. I think we had the Bukayo that we know back.”
Building Momentum
Despite his influential first-half performance, Saka was withdrawn at the interval. Arteta clarified that this was a strategic move to “ramp up” his workload gradually rather than a response to any fresh injury concern.
“We need to be careful because we need him on that pitch,” the manager explained. “He’s come back in the most important period of the season and now he’s fresh, his mind is fresh, and his hunger is at the highest possible height.”
The Final Push
With a series of season-defining fixtures on the horizon, Saka’s return to full mobility is seen as the “big platform” the squad needs to maintain their current momentum.
Arteta added: “I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team. When I look at the atmosphere in the dressing room, I think it’s tracking in the right direction.”
As the games come thick and fast, a “loose and relaxed” Saka could well be the deciding factor in whether the Gunners can maintain their edge at the top of the table.