Bukayo Saka has stressed the importance of his relationship with one Arsenal star, hinting that this chemistry could be crucial for Mikel Arteta’s side’s Premier League title hopes.
The Gunners are set to enter a crunch period of their season, with upcoming fixtures against Tottenham and Chelsea likely to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the title race. Arteta’s men need to put an end to their below-par form which has seen them win just two of their last seven league matches – Sunday afternoon’s derby against Spurs would be the perfect time to stop this slide.
While Declan Rice lauded Max Dowman this week, Saka chose to highlight another individual after signing his lucrative new five-year deal on Thursday.
Bukayo Saka says he has a ‘great relationship’ with one Arsenal star
Saka finally put pen to paper on a new contract this week, committing his future to his boyhood club until 2031. The winger has been the Gunners’ talisman over the last five years or so, and is on the brink of securing silverware that will build him a distinguished legacy at the Emirates.
That said, the 24-year-old hasn’t done it all on his own. Martin Odegaard has also been keen to Arsenal’s resurgence in recent years, and Saka actively opted to single out the Norwegian in an interview following his contract announcement.
Speaking to the Arsenal media team, Saka claimed that he had a ‘great relationship’ with Odegaard, hinting that the Gunners’ success may be somewhat contingent on the two players rediscovering this bond on the pitch.
“I have a great relationship with Martin Ødegaard,” he said.
“Me and him have played together for many years. The relationship is on & off the pitch – long may it continue, and hopefully we can win things together.”
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard’s relationship is crucial to Arsenal
Both Saka and Odegaard have struggled to find their best form since sustaining serious injuries during the 2024/25 campaign. While Saka has shown his quality in glimpses, Odegaard has found it more difficult to assert influence on matches consisently.
Prior to their respective major setbacks, the Arsenal attack ran through the two of them. Forming a telepathic relationship with Ben White on the right-hand side, the three players were able to intricately combine and create chances at will in their hey dey.
| Arsenal’s record when Odegaard and Saka started together 2024/25 (All Competitions) | |
| Matches | 20 |
| Wins | 12 |
| Draws | 5 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Goals For | 44 |
| Goals Against | 15 |
Due to ongoing niggles for all three, they haven’t been able to play together consistently over the last 12 months. If they’re able to put together a run of matches towards the end of this season, then perhaps Arsenal can reach the offensive heights they showed in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
The numbers don’t lie – Arsenal are a much better attacking team when Odegaard and Saka are on the pitch at the same time. It’s integral that Arteta gets this duo firing again.
