)
The Gunners’ coach believes his star boy Bukayo Saka is quite similar to Lionel Messi
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta compared star forward Bukayo Saka and Argentine legend Lionel Messi following the Gunners’ winger’s standout performance in the 2024/25 Premier League opener against Wolves.
Arteta reveals Saka's Messi-like qualities
Saka was crucial to Arsenal’s eventual 2-0 win, assisting Kai Havertz's opening goal and later scoring himself to secure an opening-day victory for the Gunners.
)
After the game against Wolves, Arteta spoke in glowing terms about Saka’s Man of the Match performance.
)
The Gunners’ gaffer was asked about the England international’s ability to consistently cut in on his left foot and leave defenders helpless and he compared this aspect of Saka’s game to Lionel Messi, saying, "With good players, it’s like that. With Messi, I know he’s gonna come here and put the ball there, but he does it all the time. You can’t stop him. That’s the quality of the players."
Saka set for another exceptional season
Thanks to his 16 goals last season, Saka finished the campaign as Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League and has been tipped to repeat the feat this season as the Gunners again vie for the title against Manchester City.
)
His goal against Wolves on the opening day was the perfect start for Saka, whose assist for Havertz also puts him on the right path to reach double digits for goals and assists in all competitions for the third consecutive season with the Gunners.
Arteta will be hoping that Saka can live up to the comparison to Messi this season, a feat that will surely go a long way to help Arsenal win their first Premier League title in more than two decades.
Related content
)
20:03 - 17.08.2024
Premier League roundup: Salah lives up to expectation, Zirkee's surprise reward as Arsenal shine
Mohamed Salah made history as three of the EPL's big six got off to a win on the opening day.
)
09:37 - 18.08.2024
It was not enough - Mikel Arteta names one thing Arsenal failed to do against Wolves
Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta was not so impressed with their opening day result against Wolves in the Premier League.
)
19:19 - 17.08.2024
Bukayo Saka engineers Arsenal’s victory over Wolves in Premier League opener
The Gunners started their Premier League campaign with another clean sheet as Bukayo Saka led them to victory against Wolves.
)
16:54 - 17.08.2024
Arsenal vs Wolves: Starboy Saka steals the show as Gunners kick off title challenge
Bukayo Saka put on an outstanding display to help Arsenal defeat Wolves 2-0 in their Premier League season opener.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)