‘Absolutely incredible’: Pundit says Arsenal 22-year-old ‘always training’ even on his ‘day off’

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Janusz Michallik thinks Arsenal have a ‘special’ player on their hands in Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal fans have known for some while, but Bukayo Saka is turning into a world-beater for a team aspiring to win the Premier League title with Mikel Arteta in charge.

That fresh-faced teenager that first came through under Unai Emery is now one of the Premier League’s best, with former USMNT international Janusz Michallik claiming that he ‘always trains’ even on his ‘day off’, as he told ESPN.

The development in Bukayo Saka’s game has been quite incredible and he is proof that you don’t always need to splash the cash – last season, he scored 14 goals and assisted 11, whilst he already has five goals and five assists this term (Transfermarkt).

It wasn’t so long ago that a certain Nicolas Pepe was Arsenal’s club-record transfer, yet he struggled during his time at the club – the now-departed winger had two words for the club upon having his contract terminated this summer.

But Bukayo Saka has shown him the way, as he continues to go from strength to strength in a team that has made huge strides to the one that, not so long ago, couldn’t even finish in the European places.

Bukayo Saka’s rise

“Saka, just watching him week in and week out, be it for Arsenal or England,” said Michallik. “It’s absolutely incredible.

“He does have that attitude. Everyone has read or listened to podcasts on how he treats the game. Nothing matters to him, but the game.

“He is always there and trains, even when he has a day off, he is always in the training room. Taking care of his body and wanting to be that special player that he already is.”

Bukayo Saka rested up

Prior to the international break, Arsenal’s star boy on the right gave his fans and his manager a scare with his injury issues.

Many felt that he shouldn’t have started against RC Lens in the Champions League, which resulted in him missing the clash against Manchester City.

To Arsenal’s credit, they saw off the Treble-winners and sent out their first statement of intent for the season that they mean serious business in this season’s Premier League title race.

What’s even better for the supporters is that Saka is rested up because he wasn’t part of the England squad that beat Australia in a friendly and Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier this past week.

From Arteta’s perspective, he will be hoping that leaves Saka refreshed and ready for another gruelling set of matches, starting with a trip to Chelsea at the weekend, with Reece James returning to training.