Although Bukayo Saka was already highly touted and had broken into the Arsenal first team by the time Mikel Arteta arrived in late 2019, his game has only improved under the Spaniard. Several aspects of the young Englishman’s talents have been refined and utilized under his new coach, leading the 19-year old into a position where he looks to be a regular England international and Arsenal player of the season.
Following the news of Folarin Balogun’s contract extension with his boyhood club, I will look at the aspects that led to Bukayo Saka’s rapid climb to stardom and whether a similar effect can take place with his fellow Hale-End graduate, under the guise of Mikel Arteta.
Positioning
While Saka originally broke into the first team as left-sided winger, he has managed to play all manner of positions in his time in the first team since. Due to his previous experience there, he wound up playing left-back for the majority of the 19/20 season and was nothing short of exceptional there. In the 20/21 season however, his positions have been much more varied. Playing games at left-back, left-midfield, left-wing, attacking midfield, and even as a left-sided central midfielder, the youngster has been everywhere.
What’s more impressive is the way in which Saka has excelled in every one of these positions, managing to stand out as a key performer no matter where he is on the pitch. An ode to his immense talent and intelligence.
Finally, Arteta has seemingly found the place in which Saka will stay in his team. On the opposite flank to where he started, a right-winger. The right flank allows Saka to utilize his pace to cut in onto his left, while also leaving the option to cross on his equally strong right foot. The willingness to cut inside also allows the option of an overlapping right-back, recently Calum Chambers.
Whilst the process of finding the best position for Saka’s development was a long one, the hunt for Balogun’s will certainly not be so hard. The New York-born goal-scorer has resided in the striker position for the majority of his recent academy seasons and it is most certainly where his future lies in the Arsenal team.
With just 76 minutes clocked up in substitute appearances for Arsenal’s first team this season, Balogun has already managed two goals and one assist, an impressive return. With an injury to Lacazette and Aubameyang recovering from Malaria, there is no doubt Arteta will now be looking at Balogun as an option to solve his current striking crisis.
Mentality
During an incredibly tough season for Arsenal, Saka has seemed to take on a type of leadership role in the dressing room, despite only being 19. After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Southampton at the Emirates, a game in which Saka was the standout Arsenal player, the young winger took to Twitter to tweet ‘You deserve more Arsenal fans’. The games following saw Saka raise his performances even higher, scoring against Chelsea, West Brom, Newcastle among others. Arsenal’s form has turned around massively since that tweet and an integral part of that is down to Bukayo Saka.
While he is not the most vocal leader (understandably considering his age), Saka leads by example. He is constantly one of the hardest working players and capable of single-handedly dragging Arsenal out of tricky positions. This was perfectly emphasized when he from nothing, took on his man and delivered a perfect ball for Aubameyang to head in and steal a vital victory from the jaws of defeat against Benfica.
It’s unclear if this step-up has come from Arteta’s guidance or just the sheer will of Saka, maybe it’s both. One thing is for sure. The trust showed in Saka by the Arsenal manager has allowed him to exert this leadership trait and grow into the player and man he is today.
Whether Balogun can experience a similar growth is still yet to be seen. Captain of the U23s, Balogun has definitely shown he has the trait in him but will have to translate that into the first team. The before-mentioned ‘striking crisis’ could present a chance for Balogun to step up in a similar way Saka did in the 19/20 season and this could be an opportunity for Balogun to lead his teammates, proving his character to Arteta.
Future
In Folarin Balogun and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal have two incredibly bright prospects. If Arteta stays at the club, they also have a coach who can utilize them and grow them. The end of the season is vital for Arsenal and if their two academy stars can perform and show their character, Arsenal could have starting positions set aside for years to come.