Mikel Arteta was pleased with Bukayo Saka's performance in the 2-0 win (Image: Getty)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Bukayo Saka and even dared to compare the Gunners star to Lionel Messi after his impressive performance in the 2-0 win over Wolves.
The 23-year-old sent in a perfect cross for Kai Havertz to open the scoring, before the German responded in the second half. But Saka did most of the work, spinning Rayan Ait-Nouri around before firing past Jose Sa.
The England international won the man of the match award for his performance, which came just 37 days after featuring in the Euro 2024 final.
And Arteta highlighted the similarities between Saka's unstoppable dribbling and Argentina maestro Messi after his solo goal secured victory at the Emirates Stadium.
“With good players, that's how it is. With Messi, I know he's going to come in [from the right] and do that, but you can't stop him,” Arteta said after the match.
Saka's close-range dribbling style often causes headaches for defenders, as although he relies heavily on his left foot, the London Colney graduate's quick change of pace means he can also feint onto his weaker foot.
Bukayo Saka was compared to Lionel Messi after his great performance (Image: Getty)
It's fair to say that while Saka is arguably in the form of his life at the moment, the England winger still has some way to go to match Messi.
His return with 16 Premier League goals was the best of his short career, but Messi managed to score 20 or more goals in 15 consecutive seasons with Barcelona.
Despite coming away with all three points and a clean sheet, Arteta was less than impressed with the way his side managed to find the second goal to kill off the game.
Arsenal won 2-0 thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka (Image: Getty)
Asked for his assessment of the game and whether he was satisfied, Arteta said: “Especially with the start of the game, in the first half we were really good, really intense. We generated a lot of [of chances].
“We probably should have scored two or three goals. In the second half we were careless and then the game became a bit more open. Bukayo had an incredible move to make it 2-0. [goal]” . “
Arteta praised players like Saka, Declan Raya and Declan Rice for returning to action so quickly after the Euro 2024 final, adding: “I'm not surprised. That was their mentality straight after the last game.
“They wanted to come back and be there early. If the players do that, it's going to raise the level.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1937362/Arsenal-news-Arteta-Messi-Saka