Arsenal star Bukayo Saka challenged to emulate childhood hero Cristiano Ronaldo

Mikel Arteta has challenged Bukayo Saka to develop into a goal-scoring forward — just like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

Winger Saka has been in fine form for Arsenal and goes into Monday night’s match at Sheffield United having scored seven goals in his last five league games.

Arteta, however, believes there is more to come from the 22-year-old and that he can take his game to another level.

Saka grew up idolising Ronaldo, who began his career as an out-and-out winger before developing into one of the game’s great forwards.

And asked if Saka should be looking at the Portuguese superstar to become a goal-scoring forward, Arteta said: “I hope he is doing that, because he can become much better.

“He can get in better positions still. His finishing, especially with certain circumstances, has to improve and his timing as well. So he can do better.”

Saka had been struggling for goals before the mid-season break in January, scoring just once in seven games ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Dubai.

The winger has looked re-energised since then and Arteta has praised him for being more clinical in front of goal.

“Is he being more efficient? The answer is yes and the impact that has had on the team in the last seven, eight games has been really good,” said Arteta. “But [before the mid-season break] his overall play was still really high.”

Saka has helped get Arsenal’s title charge back on track and on Monday they will be looking to make it seven league wins in a row. A victory would move them to within two points of leaders Liverpool and close the gap on Manchester City in second to one.

City and Liverpool meet in a huge game at Anfield on Sunday, and Arteta believes the winner of this year’s title will need at least 90 points.

“There are a lot of games and we are all going to have crazy schedules and this league might be different to last season,” he said. “Anything under 90 points would be very difficult.”

Arsenal were top of the table for 248 days last season, but they were overhauled by Manchester City. Arteta, however, senses a renewed belief in his squad as they bid to end a 20-year wait for a league title.

“The way I see them training every day gives me more confidence to believe we have a good chance, because they really want it,” he said.