30 November 2023 , 10:57
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Mikel Arteta heaped glowing praise on Bukayo Saka once again after Arsenal ran riot against Lens in the Champions League.
The Gunners have secured their place in the knockout round of the competition, topping Group B in the process after four wins from five games. The most recent was certainly the most emphatic as Arsenal put six past Lens with no reply, with five of those goals coming in the opening 45 minutes.
What will delight Arteta even more is the fact that Arsenal had six different goalscorers on the night, with Kai Havertz opening the scoring before Gabriel Jesus doubled their advantage. Soon after Saka and Gabriel Martinelli added themselves to the scoresheet, while Martin Odegaard followed suit just before the interval.
Jorginho's penalty was the only goal in the second-half and it capped off an impressive performance from Arsenal who enjoyed their most dominant win of the season. Jesus took home the Player of the Match award, but it was Saka who left Arteta delighted come full-time.
Saka's goal was by no means his best, with the ball deflecting off of his chest after Martinelli's initial effort had been saved. However, the fact that the 22-year-old is getting in the positions to score such a goal is what pleased Arteta.
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The Arsenal boss claimed: "That’s a different edge to score ugly goals as well and be involved in this action that gives an advantage to your teammate and he did it as well against Burnley when he won that header for Leo {Trossard], and that’s a different kind of aggression that’s good in this game and that’s a really positive thing to see."
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Bukayo Saka has added a "different edge" to his game according to Mikel ArtetaSaka was equally upbeat come full-time, though admitted Arteta has already urged his players to remember another huge game is on the horizon at the weekend with Wolves making the trip to the Emirates.
“Everyone is really happy," the Gunners academy graduate explained. "It's our first time back in the Champions League for a while and we've qualified with a game to go.
"When we first looked at our group we wanted to finish top. We've done that so can be proud. The boss is already reminding us to just enjoy a little bit and then focus on Wolves on Saturday."