After another injury-hit campaign, the England international has hit top form in the final weeks of the season and has become central to Arsenal’s push for a historic Premier League and Champions League double.
Saka scored the winner against Atletico Madrid to send Arsenal into their first Champions League final in 20 years, while his return has also reignited belief in the title race.
Inside the dressing room, his influence has grown just as quickly.
Arteta believes the 24-year-old is no longer just one of Arsenal’s best players.
He is becoming one of their leaders.
“He has got a presence now.”
“He has got an aura. He has got something special.”
Arteta also believes Saka’s impact stretches beyond his own performances, with opponents now changing the way they defend whenever he is on the pitch.
“He is a player that can change a game at any moment.”
“Creating that fear in the opponent is something important.”
Saka has battled through knee, hamstring and Achilles issues over the past two seasons, but his sharpness and confidence now look fully restored.
Arteta has even trusted him with the captain’s armband when Martin Odegaard has been unavailable, underlining the respect he commands inside the squad.
For Arsenal, his timing could hardly be better. For their rivals, the fear factor is becoming very real.