Bukayo Saka has done something which is ‘so special’ at Arsenal - Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta is overjoyed about Bukayo Saka’s imminent return to the pitch for Arsenal after being side-lined with a hamstring injury for months.

Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice reacted to Saka’s return to training by showing his happiness, as did his teammates, as the Gunners welcomed back the England international.

As former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed, Saka is “world-class.” Naturally, Mikel Arteta found it a challenge to ensure his Arsenal side remained as consistent as they had been while he was unavailable for selection.

The 23-year-old now has a chance to do what he does best on the pitch very soon after long weeks of being side-lined though injury.

Having been a consistent name in Arteta’s starting XI over the years, Saka would have found it extremely challenging to watch his boyhood club from the stands for a much-prolonged period.

Mikel Arteta in happy mode with winger Bukayo Saka (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images).

Mikel Arteta might also have feared how Saka would react to being unable to play football for a long time and whether his mood could have an impact on the dressing room.

Former Arsenal player Jeremie Frimpong called Saka one of Arsenal’s protagonists, and he thinks Saka’s conduct behind the scenes was a big responsibility he had to undertake under the circumstances.

Arteta also revealed how Saka, even in his absence, still had a positive impact on youngsters like Nwaneri, supporting him while acting like a leader.

Arteta said via HaytersTV how great and ‘special’ Saka has been to other younger teammates,

“He’s been great. For example, with Ethan, with other players and the support he’s given, the time that he spends with them, giving them advice, being around the team, how positive he’s been always around it, it’s good, it’s good to see a side of a player that has a huge role in the team when he’s not been able to be in practice, when he’s not been able to contribute in games and how he actually behaves.

“That’s why B’s [Bukayo] so special.”

According to the Daily Mail, people close to Saka made two observations about him during his time out injured.

The first observation from people closer to him has indicated that Saka’s injury has rather revived hunger in him to make an impact.

Secondly, his time out injured has made him realise how much he loves his profession.

These positive signs will surely not go unnoticed by the manager, who is set to get his hands on another version of Saka who is more determined than ever to take Arsenal to where they want to be.

The Gunners have every right to be excited as the Englishman could be set to hit higher heights he has never reached before.