Michael Owen has bigged up Arsenal’s rising star Bukayo Saka after his goal and assist helped Mikel Arteta’s men ease past Everton 4-0 at the Emirates on Wednesday night, as he told Premier League Productions (01/03/23 at 10:00 pm).
This was Arsenal’s game in hand and an ample chance for them to open up a five-point lead on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, which they did without any real worries.
Their star boy opened the scoring with a thunderous effort via his weaker right foot, with former England striker Michael Owen stating it was an ‘exquisite’ finish.
Saka was involved again for Arsenal’s second when he dispossessed Idrissa Gueuye and fed Gabriel Martinelli for their second before the break, with the young Brazil star and captain Martin Odegaard adding to their tally in the second half.
After that three-game blip, which started with a defeat to Everton in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge of the relegation-threatened side, normal service has now resumed in north London.
And one man helping lead that charge is Saka, as Owen shared what he liked about his goal against the hopeless Toffees.
“It was a real bit of quality that broke the deadlock,” said Owen. “Everything we associate Arsenal with. They probed. They tried.
“Then, eventually, a little gap opened and they exploited it. Brilliant finish. Absolute brilliant finish from Saka’s right foot – Saka can go one or two ways, can’t he?! He can either take it on his left foot, or he realised Michael Keane is not even sniffing any danger. He’s actually taken a touch. Watch the shape of his body. He gets himself between his body and the danger man.
“Protecting the ball like that. At the last minute, he decides to take it on his right, then nobody could get near him. What a finish.
Owen then added after FT: “He’s asking for the ball. He’s wanting it in this situation. Mykolenko is on the wrong side of him. But he knows he is his biggest danger. I love the way he turns. He uses his body to get between the ball and man, then the finish is exquisite with his right foot.”
SAKA HITS DOUBLE FIGURES
That was Saka’s tenth Premier League goal of a remarkable campaign for the 21-year-old, who is probably one of the best youngsters in world football today.
He also needs one more assist to hit double figures in both departments of his 2022/23 Premier League campaign, which would be some effort from the £70k-a-week star (Spotrac).
Erling Haaland might go on to smash the goals record in the Premier League this season, but if Saka continues to shine and help his team win the title, then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t win Player of the Year.
