Bukayo Saka struck a goal and assist from the bench for Arsenal in the 3-0 Champions League win over Lille after Mikel Arteta loosely challenging him to up his output

It was a masterclass in man-management from Mikel Arteta. Speaking on Monday at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, the Spaniard was asked whether the 20-goal mark, which Bukayo Saka reached during the 2023-24 campaign, was the kind of target the winger should aspire to hit again this term.

Without hesitation, Arteta replied: "No, I think the numbers should go to score two or three per game. That's it. That's the mindset. And then if you score one, so be it, you score two, so be it, because he has the ability to score in many ways.

"But normally, if you go to all the attackers, and that's the way, I think you have to attack something. Because if you go '20, OK, now we are in October, I still have eight months to score 17 more goals.' That's not the mindset, that's not going to take you there."

It's that line of thinking that separates Arteta from most. He knows Saka like the back of his hand and the England international is no longer a fresh-faced prospect. He has matured into a world-class forward player under his tutelage and his manager knows exactly what makes him tick.

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Soon enough, after his press conference, Arteta headed back into Arsenal's training HQ and stumbled across Saka in the treatment room getting a rubdown after training. The pair conversed and the results were emphatic just over 24 hours later.

Due to illness, Saka was unable to start but he exploded into life immediately from the bench following his introduction, first assisting Eberechi Eze before scoring himself. It was an empathic response not only to Arteta's challenge but the scrutiny he received on Saturday after the 2-1 win over Leeds.

He was blunt against the Whites but last night he was sharp, efficient, ruthless. There was a decisiveness to his play and yes, Lille were largely very poor for Champions League opposition, but still, he seemed eager to make a statement and relished the moment.

Arteta explained following the impressive cameo and 3-0 triumph: "After the press conference, I went and he was in the massage table and I said, Bukayo, I just killed you in the press conference.

"Good luck tomorrow. He was laughing. He knows me. He takes it because he wants to be the best version of himself. Big objective and challenges, we try to risk them by working and being consistent and when it doesn't keep going as he has the ability to do it."

Arteta was also asked whether Saka's productivity was a direct message to his manager, to which Arteta replied: "I don't know if that's the case. I'm very happy and welcome. He wasn't feeling that good yesterday and today because he had a sort of illness.

"He wasn't ready to start, but he really was keen to contribute to the team. If it was needed, he came on. He made a huge impact and he delivered with real quality."

It seems as though nowadays, critics are too quick to pick Saka apart - whether that's for club or country. But come the end of the season, there will be no doubt over his importance again. He is a difference-maker. When he's not in the team, you notice it.

When he's in the team, he makes those around him better. Arsenal look more dangerous, more stylish, more capable of playing to their full potential as a side.

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