‘The Bukayo we know is back’ – Arteta
Mikel Arteta believes the “Bukayo that we know is back” after the Ealing-born winger inspired a dominant Arsenal victory over Fulham.
Saka, who has been hampered by a persistent Achilles problem for much of the season, delivered a decisive first-half performance, scoring once and providing an assist before being substituted at the interval.
Gunners boss Arteta confirmed after the match that the half-time withdrawal was a pre-planned move to manage the England international’s workload following his recent return to fitness.
“I think the pain is gone, and that was obviously something that was restricting his capacity to deliver certain actions,” Arteta said after his team’s 3-0 win.
“He felt loose, he felt relaxed. I think we had the Bukayo that we know back.”
Saka’s return to form comes at a critical juncture in the season for his title-chasing club.
Arteta added: “He’s come back in the most important period of the season and now he’s fresh, his mind is fresh, his hunger is at the highest possible height. I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team.”
