Arteta sees Saka source of fresh impetus as Arsenal face Chelsea title test

Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka’s determination to improve has given Arsenal encouragement as they continue their Premier League title defence.

The Arsenal winger ended his summer holiday early to return to training, and his commitment has already been rewarded with goals against Coventry and Aston Villa. Those strikes marked the first time Saka had scored in consecutive league matches since November 2024.

Saka, 25, was affected by an Achilles tendon injury last season, with the consequences also limiting his involvement with England at the World Cup. He started only three of the national side’s eight matches.

Although Saka has not yet reached his best level during the 2025-26 campaign, Arsenal have won 7% more of their matches when he has played. His contribution has become even more important after the club were unable to sign a world-class striker during the transfer window.

“I noticed it immediately,” Arteta said, referring to Saka’s renewed motivation in comments reported by ESPN.

“The fact that he wanted to come back early was already a great sign, as well as the way he prepared during the summer.”

Arteta added: “Things happen in your career and then you need a certain motivation, or sometimes a little push, to take it to a different level.”

“There are very positive signs from Bukayo that make us believe that this is what is going to happen,” he said.

Saka will have the chance to extend his scoring run when Arsenal host Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Both London rivals won their opening two matches, adding significance to a fixture that is developing into an early test of their title ambitions.

Arteta believes Chelsea could become a major force under new manager Xabi Alonso. The club’s absence from European competition means Alonso can focus solely on the Premier League, while the quality of Chelsea’s squad and their schedule could help them challenge near the top.

“I think they have all the ingredients to be right at the top of the Premier League table,” Arteta said.

“Knowing him, knowing the history of the club and the quality of their squad, and the schedule they have compared with other teams, it is very likely that will be the case.”

The Premier League also features two other Spanish managers this season in Alonso and Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola. The three coaches have been friends since they played together at the age of eight for a small club in San Sebastian.

Arteta believes their upbringing in the Basque Country helped develop the resilience and toughness that have shaped their careers.

“We have toughness and endurance. We clearly dealt with a lot of things within the country as well, and that strengthened us and made us different not better, but different in some ways,” he said.

“We used that upbringing and those values to be probably more prepared when we have to face difficult moments and challenges, and to move forward and overcome them.”

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