'Saka's performance was infectious'

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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Bukayo Saka's positivity was "infectious" in Saturday's 3-0 win over Fulham and "something feels different" with him in the team.

The winger started for the first time since suffering an Achilles injury in March and played a starting role with a goal and assist in the first-half before being substituted at the break ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

"That's why they call him the Starboy," Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"When you're at a club like Arsenal, with what they're going through, and your top players are playing well then it becomes infectious.

"Saka played with a smile on his face. When was the last time we saw him smile like that on a football pitch? It made a big difference. His performance was very infectious for the rest of the team.

"With him, they played with a lot more energy, enthusiasm and aggression than we have seen for a while. It was like now the messaging from Arteta is finally seeming to be coming through to the players.

"Arteta looks like he has finally got his players to believe that they're on fire and they put on a very good performance against Fulham and got the job done.

"When I look at Saka's attitude and performance this weekend, I look at the rest of the Arsenal team and why they were not doing this weeks ago. Something feels different with him in the team."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds