Mikel Arteta has challenged Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard to replicate the “unbelievable” chemistry of Barcelona’s all-time great midfield of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
Ødegaard’s return from an ankle injury has sparked a dramatic upturn in Arsenal’s form, winning three games in a week and scoring 13 goals with Saka at the heart of their best football.
Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (18) has more Premier League goal involvements than Saka’s 15 so far this season.
Last season, Ødegaard passed the ball to Saka more times (322) than any other combination of non-defenders aside from Manchester City duo Mateo Kovačić and Rodri and created 40 chances in open play for each other.
Asked if he had ever seen a better understanding between two players, Arteta referenced Barcelona’s legendary trio who played together 182 times, winning 68 per cent of games in addition to winning the World Cup and Euros together with Spain.
“They can be [the best] in this case because they are an attacking midfielder and a winger,” said Arteta of Ødegaard and Saka.
“But I’ve seen centre backs, I’ve seen midfielders between them having … I always think about Barcelona with Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta — it was unbelievable. They didn’t even need to look at each other.
“Our two centre backs — [William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães] — naturally there is a chemistry there that is unbelievable.
“So, try to develop those more and more because there is something there that is very difficult to put a number to it. But it’s close in a natural way and the more relationships you have make the team the better.”
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho said earlier this week that Saka, 23, could be a Ballon d’Or contender if he believes in himself.
Pushed on how the England international had developed in recent years, Arteta continued: “The way he presents himself, the way he talks, the decisions that he makes. He has a massive role in the team. He is the main figure, with two or three players at the club.
“He plays for the national team. He is a very established player right now and he is deciding matches for us. He has earned the right to be that way but at the same time he has stayed so humble, close and charming to everybody.”
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