"Going from strength to strength" - BT Sport pundit gushes over "wonderful" Arsenal player following PSV win
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Arsenal legend Martin Keown has praised Bukayo Saka for his performance during the Gunners' 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday.
Mikel Arteta's side were looking to seal progression to the knockout stages, knowing they only needed a point to go through.
But it looked like being a frustrating night at the Emirates Stadium for much of the 90 minutes. Arsenal had nine shots at goal in the first half, but none of them were on target.
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They were improved in the second half, with Gabriel Jesus close to opening the scoring on several occasions.
But it was Granit Xhaka who eventually got the all-important goal, firing a half-volley into the bottom corner of the net from outside the area.
Saka had a late opening to double Arsenal's advantage, but saw his effort saved by Walter Benitez.
That ultimately didn't matter, though, with the Gunners recording victory and a spot in the knockout stages. They also maintain their 100 per cent record in the Europa League this season, with four wins from four games.
And Keown picked out one player who he believes was magnificent for the hosts once again.
Martin Keown praises Saka
Speaking on BT Sport after the 1-0 win, Keown was delighted with the display produced by Saka.
He explained: "Saka - every time I watch him play, he's wonderful. He gets better every time.
"His upper body strength is first class, the way he runs past. He's just swatting players now. He's going from strength to strength."
There were some concerns over the 21-year-old after he was visibly suffering from a knock late on in the match. However, Arteta eased fans' worries after the match by saying that the winger "will be OK".
The Spaniard was questioned over his decision to start Saka in the match, given Arsenal play again in three days. But he hit back, saying: "If we start to put something different in the mind of a young player, I think we are making a huge mistake, because then [he would] be like, 'No, I don't play now. On astroturf, I don't play'. I don't want that.
🗣 "Look at the top players in the world, they play 70 matches, every three days and make the difference and win the game. If you want to be at the top you have to be able to do that."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 21, 2022
Mikel Arteta explains why Bukayo Saka is playing a lot of minutes this season pic.twitter.com/msEKUgDc83
"I want them to be ruthless every three days. I want them knocking on my door, 'I want to play, I want to win the game'.
"There is no fitness coach in the world that is going to tell me that they cannot do it, because I've seen it. 72 games and scored 50 goals."
The Gunners will hope Saka is fully fit for their Premier League clash at Southampton on Sunday. Arsenal could go four points clear at the top of the table with a win.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Arsenal, Bukayo Saka, Martin Keown, Europa League, Mikel Arteta, Premier League
