Mikel Arteta compares Bukayo Saka to LIONEL MESSI after Arsenal star’s shining role in opening-day win over Wolves
MIKEL ARTETA saw shades of Lionel Messi in Bukayo Saka’s strike against Wolves.
Opponents must know by now not to allow the Gunners‘ talisman to cut onto his left foot.
But Wolves – like many before them – were powerless to prevent Saka, 22, getting off the mark for the season with another well-taken goal for his growing collection.
Arteta drew comparisons to another left-footed maestro in 37-year-old great Messi when asked to explain why.
He said: “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, Declan Rice and David Raya all played despite long runs at Euro 2024.
And Arteta hailed the trio for their dedication to the cause.
He said: “I’m not surprised [they came back straight away].
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“That was their mentality straight away after the last game.
“They said, ‘I’m gonna be ready for the first game.’
“I spoke to them after the summer, and tried to arrange a plan.
“They wanted to come back and be here early. They were already getting prepared when they were on holidays.
“This is the mentality that we need.
“If players are doing that compromise, it will grow around the team and they will step up the level. That’s what we need.”
Kai Havertz and Saka scored either side of the break for a 2-0 win that was perhaps slightly flattering for the Gunners.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil thinks Arsenal’s clinical finishes gave them the edge.
He said: “I thought we were good. I was pleased. I obviously don’t like losing but we gave Arsenal a tough game. We restricted them to not too many chances.
“In terms of being in the game and having a chance I felt that, at 1-0 down, we were more likely than them.
“They found two moments of quality and we just missed a couple of ours.”
Wolves star Yerson Mosquera was lucky to stay on the pitch after appearing to grab Havertz’s neck and Gabriel Jesus’ BUM.