Bukayo Saka scored a goal and set up another as Arsenal beat Lille 3-0 in the Champions League, answering the challenge set by manager Mikel Arteta. The England forward has been told he should aim to score “two or three” goals per game, given his quality and the expectations placed on him.
Saka did not reach that tally against the French visitors, but he overcame illness to come off the bench. He provided the assist for Eberechi Eze‘s strike that made it 2-0, before rolling in his side’s third goal himself. The 25-year-old has now scored four goals in nine games this season and appears to be taking the next step in his development as Arsenal’s key man.
Most of his side’s attacking play runs through him, and he has always been an influential figure. However, opposition defenders have been doubling up on him, and injury problems over the past two seasons raised doubts about whether he could still do what was asked of him in attack or whether he had lost a yard of pace.
Arteta’s Tactical Change
Arteta has adjusted Saka’s positioning this season, and before the Lille match he said the change was deliberate, designed to bring him closer to goal.
“That is where we need to get him,” said the Gunners boss before the game. “And if he misses the chance, so be it. At the end, the more volume we generate, the bigger the probability of him scoring more goals.”
Saka’s goal against Lille was a confident one-touch finish, coming after he missed a late one-on-one chance in Saturday’s Premier League win over Leeds.
“He has been getting in great positions, getting shots, getting one-touch finishes and tap-ins,” said Arteta. “That is the kind of unpredictability we have with that player, otherwise we know how the opponent is going to defend him. He is doing well. He could have had another four or five goals by now, easily. But if he continues like that, we know.
“When he talks about scoring a certain amount of goals, he needs to be thinking about scoring a certain amount of goals per game. If that mentality shifts, he will get into those positions and score more goals.”
Saka’s Record and Form
Saka has reached 20 goals in a season only once for Arsenal, in the 2023-24 campaign, when he scored 16 in the Premier League. He has also been in strong form for England, scoring five goals in his last four matches, including a double in the 7-0 Nations League win over Croatia in the recent round of internationals.
He now has 19 goals in major European competitions for Arsenal, trailing only Thierry Henry (42). He also has nine Champions League assists, placing him behind Henry (16) and Cesc Fabregas (14).
Saka has refused to disclose the personal targets he has set, but Arteta welcomed his response to the call to do more in front of goal.
“I don’t know if that’s the case, but I am very happy,” said Arteta. “He wasn’t feeling that good yesterday and today, as he had some sort of illness. He wasn’t ready to start but he was really wanting to contribute to the team if it was needed, and he came on and made a huge impact and delivered with real quality.”
Arteta also spoke to Saka after raising his desire for the winger to have a greater impact in his press conference. “After the press conference… I said, ‘Bukayo, I just killed you in the press conference, good luck tomorrow’,” Arteta recalled.
“He was laughing. He knows that we have discussed these kinds of things, and he takes it because he wants to be the best version of himself. In order to do that, you have to set big objectives and challenges and try to get there by working and being consistent. When it doesn’t work, keep going, because he has the ability to do it.”
Mixed Night for Fringe Players
Arteta made five changes to the side that started the Leeds win as the Gunners navigate six matches in all competitions this month. Noni Madueke moved to the right wing after a good performance on the left at the weekend, while Mikel Merino, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres all came into the starting XI.
Eze had started just two games in all competitions before the Lille match, and Arteta had described his attitude as “phenomenal” despite his lack of game time. The 28-year-old showed flashes of his quality, and his finish for Arsenal’s second goal, his first of the season, should give him confidence going forward.
Madueke had a mixed night. He showed his ability to beat a defender, but questions remain over his end product, even though he provided the assist for Jurrien Timber’s classy opening goal.
It was not a good night for Gyokeres. The Sweden striker scored 21 goals in all competitions last season as Arsenal won the title for the first time in 22 years, and he has shown a willingness to run and work hard. However, he had just 12 touches before being replaced, and Kai Havertz, as he so often does, looked a far better and more natural fit for the Arsenal frontline, also setting up Saka’s goal.
Arteta brought on Saka, Havertz and Martin Odegaard after Arsenal went 1-0 up, and all three made a contribution. They showed why they remain first choices on the teamsheet and why Arteta will rely so heavily on them if Arsenal are to win more honours.