Bukayo Saka: As Arsenal defeated Southampton, Mikel Arteta praised the "unbelievable" player for "another step up."

After driving Arsenal to a 3-1 victory over Southampton, Mikel Arteta praised Bukayo Saka's ability to change games, stating the 23-year-old has improved even more this year.

After Cameron Archer's goal put the Gunners behind at the Emirates Stadium, Saka equalised the score by setting up goals for Kai Havertz and substitute Gabriel Martinelli.

His goal in the Champions League victory against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek was followed by a clinically taken goal, which was converted first time following a Southampton error. His assists brought him to seven in the Premier League, the most by any player in the division.

Despite his youth, Arteta was appreciative of the academy product's willingness to take on more responsibility for his team and was pleased with his performance against Southampton.

"they are the maturity and they are the actions that athletes need to take. He's been with the squad long enough to deserve that position, Arteta remarked.

Like many other players, he feels that he has the ability to alter or determine games, and he wants to be the best.
 
"Players sometimes have to create those situations, and he did just that today as well.

"I believe it's a positive move and what he desires.

Do it when the team needs it, not when it's 3-0. Do it at home, on the road, in big games and not-so-big games. That's what makes a player exceptional.

It's amazing what he's accomplishing for his age. We also have a tonne of examples of that."

How Saka helped Arsenal once more

In the Premier League, Arteta started a front four that had combined for 279 goals and 158 assists, but the youngest player in the group really stood out.

Saka, who is still only twenty-three, put on another brilliant performance. He is the player Arsenal turns to when things go tough. He now has seven assists in the Premier League this year after his two assists. As of this writing, no one else possesses more than four.

Saka's goal, which came after a similarly significant strike in Tuesday's Champions League victory against Paris Saint-Germain, eliminated any doubt from the last few minutes of the match.

Upon closer examination, the figures highlight the remarkable degree of his impact on the Saints.

He attempted another seven shots and created another seven chances here, matching his stats from the 4-2 victory over Leicester, another game in which he helped Arsenal escape certain defeat.

Again, it was Arsenal's game-winning goal, and he had two assists to show for his efforts.

Hope for Southampton in spite of yet another loss

Southampton needs victories, and they need them quickly, but their loss to Arsenal gives them some hope.

The fear that Russell Martin would soon be under pressure with an uncertain lineup or that the Saints would be heading straight down to the Championship was crystallised on Monday after going down 3-0 in 39 minutes against Bournemouth.

At the Emirates, he shown greater adaptability by switching to a back five following the hosts' explosive first ten minutes. It took them until first-half extra time to make Aaron Ramsdale make a save. By the half, Arsenal had generated an xG of just over 1.2, although nearly half of that had occurred in the first seven minutes.

Martin pushed his team even harder during the half, and they delivered by gaining the lead and even giving Arsenal pause before Saka sealed the victory in the 88th minute.

This was not a team without quality, nor was it a team not playing for their manager. It was a taste of Southampton's potential.

However, showing up to play Arsenal is simple; their destiny this season will be determined by matches like the one they have coming up against Leicester. And from now on, there's going to be no way out of not matching this performance in two weeks.