LONDON, OCT 6 – Mikel Arteta paid tribute to Bukayo Saka for inspiring Arsenal’s bid to keep their Premier League title challenge alive with a 3-1 win against Southampton yesterday.
Initially, Arteta’s squad were rocked by Cameron Archer’s surprise goal early in the second half at the Emirates Stadium.
But Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli scored back-to-back goals to pull things back, before Saka completed Arsenal’s fifth win in seven league games.
Saka this week said he expects Arsenal to lift the Premier League trophy this season.
Saka made seven assists or assist in the Premier League so far, more than any other player, and the most across all of Europe’s top five leagues.
“There are statistics and you can’t run away from that, and what he is doing at his age is unbelievable,” Arteta said.
“He has the capacity to change and decide matches. That’s his maturity and it’s another step in what he wants.
“When you do it at home, in a big game or not so big. That’s what defines the best player.
“If we want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he certainly did,” said Arteta again.
Four days after victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Arsenal face a Southampton side who have just one point from seven games.
“We were shocked by their goals and it’s true that we have to respond to them. But we did it and in a convincing way,” said Arteta.
Arsenal dominated the first half without testing Ramsdale until injury time when he deflected Thomas Partey’s goal.
Southampton’s lead lasted just three minutes when Saka beat Flynn Downes before finding Havertz, who confidently slotted home for his fourth goal in his last four games.
On the hour mark, Arteta introduced Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in a pair of changes that changed the situation.
Saka’s cross found an unmarked Martinelli and scored in the 68th minute through Ramsdale’s legs.
As Saints looked to equalise, Saka beat Ramsdale to keep Arsenal chasing their title dreams. – AFP
