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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hailed the quality of players like winger Bukayo Saka and Lionel Messi. Saka scored with a trademark Messi finish as the Gunners opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (August 17).
Kai Havertz opened the scoring inside 25 minutes at the Emirates before Saka confirmed the result 16 minutes from time with a sumptuous finish reminiscenet of Messi.
Following successive Premier League runners-up finishes, Arteta's side hope to make it third-time lucky. They have started their quest to end their two-decade long league title drought with a positive result against Wolves.
Meanwhile, Arteta drew comparisions with Messi while describing the impact of a 'good' player like Saka in the team (as per Hayters TV):
"Good players ... you know with Messi, I know that he's going to come in here and put the ball there. He does it all the time. It's the quality of the players.
Saka had a hand in both Gunners goals, setting up Kai Havertz's first-half opener before scoring a brilliant one, with Havertz returning the favour, to open his account for the campaign.
"I'm really happy" - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is pleased with his team's first outing in the new Premier League season. Coming off a decent pre-season, the Gunners have hit the ground running.
Admitting that the team still need to hit top gear, Arteta sounded 'happy' with the result, finishing the game strongly against a good Wolves side. He told Sky Sports (as per BBC):
"I am really happy. With the first game you have some uncertainty in how you will respond. We had our moment after 1-0 when we were not in control, but after Saka's goal, we were much more comfortable. The way the boys go about their job is unbelievable, so very happy.
"We knew Wolves could change the game, and they did in the second half but with our changes we became a bit stronger. We certainly are. We had a really good pre-season. There are things to improve for sure, but overall very happy.
Arteta concluded:
"The lack of control in the second half (we can improve], we gave so many simple balls away. We also had to finish situations better but overall very happy."
The Gunners next take on Aston Villa away on August 24, hoping to make it two wins in two in the new campaign.
