Bukayo Saka reflected on Arsenal’s victory over Sporting Club in the Champions League, expressing pride in his team’s performance and acknowledging the challenges posed by their Portuguese opponents. The Gunners entered the match well aware of Sporting’s formidable form, which included an unbeaten run across all competitions and a statement victory over Manchester City earlier in the tournament. Despite this, Arsenal managed to emerge victorious, showcasing their quality and resilience on a big European night.
Arsenal’s win came off the back of a dominant 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, but the task in Portugal was always going to be tougher. Sporting Club has established itself as one of the most dangerous teams in Europe this season, combining tactical discipline with flair. Arsenal had to dig deep, relying on a disciplined defensive setup and sharp attacking play to secure the win.
Saka, an integral part of the team’s success, played with his characteristic energy and creativity, further cementing his status as one of the Gunners’ key players. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the England international highlighted the team’s confidence and collective effort:
“We spoke about it before the game. We know this season they’ve been a top team but we believe in ourselves and we just needed to be us.”
Saka’s comments reflect the self-assurance and unity within the Arsenal squad under Mikel Arteta. He also praised his teammates, emphasising that their collective quality was instrumental in the victory:
“We played with confidence. Everyone was top and anyone could have got this [the player of the match award]. I’m really proud of all the boys today.”
This victory marks one of Arsenal’s standout performances this season, particularly given the calibre of their opponents. It reaffirms their status as serious contenders in the Champions League and underscores their progress under Arteta’s management. For Arsenal fans, Saka’s words are a testament to the team’s belief and ambition as they continue to navigate a challenging but promising campaign.
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a resounding win against a team that was unbeaten in 18 games and scored 39 goals in the last 11 games. All the players played their part well and specially Odegaard, Saka, Timber, Partey, Gabriel, Saliba and Raya were immense. Long may this great performance continue.
Terrific result and apart from Calafiori, who I am not convinced is a LB, our back four was immense.Partey and Odegaard are simply wonderful natural footballers who are a joy to watch.
“Partey and Odegaard are simply wonderful natural footballers who are a joy to watch.”
Absolutely – imo, these two and jorginho are absolutely crucial to this side as they understand when to try the killer pass and they’re good enough to play it most times, and odegaard’s movement brings it all together. Without players like these three, we can be relatively easy to nullify. We need could do with another one or two playmakers like them in the squad imo.
Forget about a new striker, Arsenal must now stick with the basics, fluid passing, off the ball movements and play making.
Eight goals in the last two games, does not suggest a club in a striker crisis.
It isn’t a question of “goals from across the team” or “goals from a new striker”, it’s both options that’s (still) needed.
It may not seem so (to a few, anyway) after results like last nights, but it certainly should have been obvious in the recent run of disappointing results when Arsenal wasn’t scoring freely as a team.
You think Jesus is a perfectly acceptable option for a No 9, but the evidence of the last 18 months is against that. After all, Arteta didn’t even bring him on yesterday when there were more goals to be had.
Bertie, some will look at last night and say, I told you so. And I expect no less. But the truth is the season as a whole and the previous two seasons have proved we need a striker. Last night we performed. Its tge days we don’t people quickly forget and why.