Saka turned things around after Euro 2020 penalty upset

Mikel Arteta

thinks missing the penalty in England Euro 2020 final defeat at the hands of Italy has appeared to be “great” for winger’s career.

He failed to deliver the decisive penalty in the shootout against Italy in the summer as their rivals were handed the crown and the 20-year-old was racially abused on social media.

Notwithstanding the issue,

Bukayo Saka

has turned things at

this season and scored his eighth goal in the

as the Gunners vanquished

3-2 on Sunday.

The Arsenal boss has praised the way Saka bounced back, saying:

"I think Bukayo had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players will ever have. I think it was great for his career.

"The football world showed how much they like him and how much they respect him. I don’t think you can get much more than that in football, apart from winning trophies.

"That was a big boost for him, to realise: ‘In difficult moments, these people are really going to give me support’ and the club did the same as his team-mates.

"Then it is about giving him that space. At his age what he is doing is phenomenal. He needs that room. Don’t read too much, do what you do.

"Football is his priority in life and you can see that every day in training and he needs to continue to behave and live the way that he is doing."

The England international has become Arsenal’s regular player this season, having played in 25 games in the England top flight.

He had his first goal and assist of the 2021-22 season when they vanquished Tottenham 3-1 in September and then met the back of the net against Newcastle, Leeds, Norwich, and Manchester City.

Saka also scored the winner against Brentford before contributing a goal and an assist against Watford on Sunday.

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