The star winger’s clinical strike against Atletico Madrid ended a decades-long wait, propelling the Gunners toward European glory while earning heartfelt acclaim from his manager for his character.
Mikel Arteta has praised Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal winger scored the decisive goal that sent the club into the Champions League final.
Saka struck just before half-time against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, reacting quickest inside the box after Jan Oblak had parried Leandro Trossard’s effort. The goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 win on the night and secured a 2-1 aggregate victory, sending Mikel Arteta’s side into their first Champions League final since 2006.
It was another significant moment in Saka’s Arsenal story. The 24-year-old has been at the heart of Arteta’s project since the Spaniard’s early days in charge, and his latest goal arrived at one of the biggest moments in the club’s recent history.
Asked how enjoyable it has been to work with Saka over the years, Arteta made clear how highly he regards the England international both as a player and as a person.
“A joy,” Arteta said. “I feel extremely lucky, I said it from the beginning, to find somebody at the club that you can lean into at any level. Knowing that he’s going to respond.”
Arteta suggested that Saka’s character has been just as important as his technical quality.
“Knowing that his heart is in the right place,” Arteta said. “Knowing that everything that he does comes from certain values, certain education, certain principles. It’s been a joy.”
Those words reflect Saka’s standing within the squad. He has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent attacking players for several seasons and remains central to how Arteta’s side create and finish chances.
The Atletico goal was another example of his timing in key moments. Saka was alive inside the penalty area after Viktor Gyokeres had helped keep the move going, and his finish ensured Arsenal’s European run continued all the way to Budapest.
Arteta added: “On the human level, I think we know him. And on the football level, what he has provided to this club, and what he did the other night, is just remarkable.”
Arsenal now return to Premier League action against West Ham before attention eventually turns to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. With the title race still alive and European glory within reach, Saka’s form and fitness could be decisive.
For Arteta, though, the praise went beyond one goal. Saka has become one of the defining players of his Arsenal tenure, and Tuesday night was another reminder of why.