Mikel Arteta names Arsenal star with 'different edge' after AFC Bournemouth win

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has singled out four stars for praise (Picture: AFP)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta feels Bukayo Saka has a ‘different edge’ following Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League victory over AFC Bournemouth.

Arteta was left delighted after his side cruised past the in-form Cherries with a clean sheet to keep the pressure on their top-flight title rivals Manchester City.

Saka was particularly impressive as he became the first Englishman to score 20 goals for Arsenal in a single season since Theo Walcott in the 2012-13 campaign.

He was one of four players Arteta singled out for praise after the match at the Emirates while Saka was also lauded by his team-mate Kai Havertz.

Arteta, quizzed about Saka in his post-match press conference, said: ‘The level of consistency compared to last year is very similar.

‘There areas he’s better in. I see a different edge to him in the way he competes. He loves winning more than three months ago.’

Speaking to the BBC, Arteta also hailed the performances of midfield duo Thomas Partey and Declan Rice as well as Havertz.

Mikel Arteta hailed Bukayo Saka and three other Arsenal players (Picture: Reuters)

‘[Thomas Partey was] very important,’ Arteta added. ‘He has another level of presence.

‘He dominates in the middle of the park and the team need that. He has the experience too and the team needs that.

‘You don’t play at that level if all the players aren’t exceptional. [Declan] Rice and Kai Havertz were great. I thought [Havertz] was outstanding today.’

Meanwhile, Arteta joked that he would put on Wolves ‘pyjamas’ while watching their clash against Pep Guardiola’s side in the hope that City drop points.

Asked if he would be wearing a Wolves shirt later in the day on Saturday, Arteta said: ‘No, pyjamas! I will be there sitting with my kids and my family.’

There was no chance of City dropping points, though, as they raced into a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick.

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