Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has encouraged Bukayo Saka to try to emulate his idol Cristiano Ronaldo following his outstanding start to the season.

The England international has five goals and 10 assists in 12 Premier League games this season and Arteta is delighted with his progress.

“In terms of the numbers, we always see a shift in Bukayo every single year,” Arteta added.

“He is providing something else. He is adding things to his game, he is more and more consistent and, as obviously his numbers in terms of impact in goals and assists, is incredible at this stage of the season.

“He can only improve, he can only get better. He has got the right players around him to continue to do so and especially because he wants more.”

Saka has admitted Ronaldo was his childhood idol, and Arteta was asked whether the winger should look to match the Portuguese’s stunning career statistics.

“To look is always good,” said Arteta. “The way Cristiano started his career, and when he joined Manchester United, nobody probably expected in the first few seasons he would be able to do that.

“But again, it was about his mentality, his work ethic, how he developed his skill, his chemistry with his team and to play in a team that has the capacity as well to be dominant.

“That is very, very important. I think Bukayo has got that context and if he is aiming for that, I think it is a positive thing.”