Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was a happy man after his side beat Monaco 3-0.
The Gunners are now in a great position in the Champions League. They are third in the table and are among the favourites to go through to the knockout stages without having to play in the playoffs.
Arsenal were not at their absolute best against Monaco. They missed a number of chances, especially in the first half, but Arteta’s men still managed to get the job done.
A brace from Bukayo Saka followed by a late Kai Havertz strike sealed the game for Arsenal. Arteta has now heaped praise on one player.
Saka was the star of the show for Arsenal yet again.
The Englishman started in his usual right-wing position, and it actually took a while for him to get going. Monaco started the game better, but the 23-year-old stepped up when his team needed him.
Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the 34th minute after a great assist from Gabriel Jesus. The Englishman scored again in the 78th minute to give his side a cushion.
Gooners at the Emirates were all hoping to see him get a hat-trick, and many thought he did. However, Saka’s strike in the 88th minute struck Havertz before finding the back of the net.
Arteta was still really happy with how Saka performed, and he claimed after the game that the winger ‘keeps surprising’ the coaching staff.
But, Arteta himself isn’t surprised.
He told Arsenal.com: “Well, he keeps surprising us, but that’s what he wants to do, that’s the quality he has, that’s the ambition that he’s acting and preparing himself for every single day.
“So, I’m not surprised, but it’s very difficult to do what he’s doing.”
Saka is one of the best players in the world right now – nobody can dispute that.
The Englishman has been getting better and better every season, and his numbers since the start of this campaign are nothing short of incredible.
Saka has scored nine goals and provided 12 assists in 21 games in all competitions. That’s one direct goal contribution in every single game, which is a stunning return.
In the Champions League, Saka has been magnificent too. The 23-year-old has played 14 games in the competition and has directly contributed to 14 goals.
People can discredit Saka all they want, but the fact is that he is a superstar.
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