'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has compared Bukayo Saka to Lionel Messi following the Gunners' win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, August 17. The north London giants kicked off their Premier League season with a 2-0 triumph at the Emirates.
Kai Havertz (25') opened the scoring for Arsenal in the first half before Bukayo Saka (74') doubled the lead in the second half.
Saka's goal was reminiscent of how Messi has produced so many magical goals with his exceptional left foot throughout his career. The England international cut inside from the right flank and smashed the ball past Wolves keeper Jose Sa.
Arteta claimed that while everybody could anticipate what Saka was going to do, it was impossible to deal with. He said, as per Football London via The Boot Room:
“With good players, it’s like that. With Messi, I know he’s gonna come in and do that, but you can’t stop him.”
Saka has established himself as a key player for Arsenal having come through the youth ranks of the club. He has made a total of 227 appearances for the Gunners to date, scoring 59 times and providing 54 assists.
The 22-year-old has started the season on a high with a goal and an assist in the opening game. The north London giants will take on Aston Villa next Saturday (August 24) at Villa Park in their second game of the campaign.
Kai Havertz hails Arsenal teammate following win against Wolves
Arsenal attacker Kai Havertz has lavished praise on Bukayo Saka following his stellar performance in their 2-0 win against Wolves. Havertz and Saka found the back of the net for the Gunners to ensure Mikel Arteta's side kicked off their campaign on a winning note.
Saka was by far the most dangerous player for the Gunners as he produced a fantastic cross to set up Havertz for the opener. The Englishman later doubled the lead with a brilliant goal in the second half.
Following the game, Havertz hailed Saka for his consistently high level of performance despite his young age. He said, as quoted by BBC:
"We can be happy but there was some room to improve. The first 20 minutes were good. We had good chances. We then lost a bit of control of the game and our press didn’t work. Always 100% we defended deep very well. We didn’t give them a lot of chances and it is three points."
"Saka is unbelievable. There are not a lot of players like him on the planet and he is still so young. He can get better. It is very rare to see a young player like this perform every week at the highest level."
Mikel Arteta's decision to sign Kai Havertz was heavily criticized by many, but the Germany international has silenced his critics. Despite a shaky start to life at Arsenal after moving from Chelsea, he found his feet in the second half of the last season.
Havertz has also started this season on a strong note with a goal and an assist in the opening game against Wolves. He has so far scored 15 goals and produced eight assists in 52 appearances for the Gunners.
