After Bukayo Saka played a key role in Arsenal’s win over Brighton on Tuesday, Mikel Arteta urged caution in our expectations for the youngster.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Bukayo Saka after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal at American Express Community Stadium on December 29, 2020 in Brighton, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Frank Augstein - Pool/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Bukayo Saka on December 29, 2020. (Photo by Frank Augstein – Pool/Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka won another deserved Man of the Match award in midweek, his second in consecutive games. His clever turn, acceleration, and accurate cutback set up Alexandre Lacazette’s winning goal in a very tight victory over Brighton.

Saka was impressive throughout the match, creating three chances and drawing four fouls as Brighton struggled to contain him.

Arsenal fans are certainly excited about the teenager, but Mikel Arteta argues we need to let him develop in peace.

“I would like everybody to be cautious and let him be and let him develop,” Arteta said. “I think he’s having the right progression. I think he’s got the right people around him in his house, in his entourage.”

So far this season, I’d argue Saka has stepped up a level from the last campaign. As good as he was in 2019/20, the youngster looks even more confident stepping out onto the pitch in Premier League matches this season.

But he’ll have periods of poor form, there’s no doubt about that. It’s irresponsible to act like he’s always going to be the best player on the team every week, and Arteta is right to encourage us to keep the pressure off him.