Mikel Arteta singles out two ‘unbelievable’ Arsenal stars who stepped up to ‘another level’ in Southampton clash
MIKEL ARTETA labelled two Arsenal players “unbelievable” and “incredible” following their 3-1 win over Southampton.
The Gunners came from behind to beat the newly-promoted outfit at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.
Kai Havertz cancelled out Cameron Archer’s opener, before goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka secured the victory.
Saka, 23, netted the third having assisted Arsenal‘s other two.
He now has seven assists in seven Premier League games this season – more than any player in Europe’s top five divisions.
And Arteta has hailed him for improving even more at the start of the campaign.
He said: “He’s taken another step ahead in what he does and especially when [he does it].
“[He can] do it at home, do it away, do it in big games, in the not-so-big games and when the teams need not when it’s already 3-0. That’s what defines a top, top player.
“What he is doing at his age is unbelievable.”
Arteta also took the time to praise Kai Havertz – who equalled a record set by Robin van Persie with his goal against Saints.
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The German, 25, scored for a seventh consecutive game at the Emirates, matching Van Persie’s feat during the 2011/12 season.
Arteta added: “You can tell [his confidence has grown]. The way he holds the ball, the positions he takes in the box. He’s an attacking midfielder but he plays as a nine so you don’t know where he is.
“That’s his football brain and for sure his focus now is I’m going to win the game, I’m going to do it’ and that’s a different thing.
“He’s practising and he wants more. He’s not satisfied with what he is doing because there is still another level for him.
“He’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him and that confidence you really sense it. And now he’s scoring in games and winning football matches which is great.”