30 October 2023 , 13:23
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Bukayo Saka warned Arsenal's title rivals the Gunners have not hit top gear yet – but they are “getting closer” to full throttle.
The England winger, who captained his boyhood club for the first time in Saturday's 5-0 rout of Sheffield United, admitted they have been forced to adapt their blueprint after being overhauled by Manchester City on the run-in last season. But Saka insists Arsenal are in good shape to negotiate the long haul through winter on four fronts.
He said: “To be honest, I think we have to understand that each year is different. Last season we played a certain way, but this year teams are prepared for that and we have to try to adapt and change that.
“Obviously that means one player might have less space when they had more space last season, so I think we just have to take into account the results that we’ve been getting. We are close to the top of the table in the Premier League, we are top of our Champions League group and we are still in all the other competitions.
“I think that is something we can be proud of, but I agree there is another level for us to go to. We are pushing, pushing and scoring five goals (against Sheffield United) shows we are getting closer to it.”
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Saka's run of 87 consecutive Premier League appearances came to an end earlier this month, but manager Mikel Arteta still talks about him playing upwards of 60 games a season. And at 22, the player himself is not fearful of burnout, saying: “I think I’m really focused on the next coming games and what I can do for the team.
“My focus is not really there [on talk of burning out]. I’m a guy who always wants to be on the pitch, always wants to give my best, and if I’m injured and I have to be forced to be out, then of course I will sit it out.
“But as long I’m there and I’m ready to play, I am always going to give my best and tell them that I want to play. When you look at the top players, they are there every three days and they are winning games for their team.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is feeling confident (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)“So I’m trying to be at that level, and to obviously be at that level I need to push myself. Of course, it’s difficult, but I’m trying to do it and give it my best.” Saka confirmed that Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard has been nursing a hip injury, which is why the Norwegian midfielder handed over the captain's armband at the weekend.
“He told me he’s playing with a bit of pain and it is somewhere in his hip,” said Saka. “But obviously he is a guy that wants to give his best for the team. He’s our leader, so he always wants to be out there on the pitch.
“Against Sheffield United he was given the rest, and we’re happy that we were able to win the game without him. But we need him for the season and for the next coming games. I hope he will be back and I’m sure he will be back.”