Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, has hailed 17-year-old Bukayo Saka for playing “with a very big personality” on his full debut for the Gunners, in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League.
Saka made his first start for the Gunners on the left wing and showed plenty of confidence, as he tested goalkeeper Vagner with an early strike from the edge of the box and tried to take on defenders.
The Nigerian-born forward also missed a good chance to score his first Arsenal goal in the second half.
Saka is the latest youngster to impress Emery during this Europa League group stage, which has also seen good performances by fellow teenagers Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock.
“They show us in every match positive things. And today Saka also, he played with a good performance with a very big personality.
“We were speaking at half-time, they were trying one-on-ones against the opposition.
“Not every action was good for us, but his personality is very important to continue in the second half trying to do one-on-ones and break lines with his quality. He played with a very big personality for the 90 minutes, and with sometimes a good performance. And for him it’s very important for his confidence,” Emery said after the game.
Commenti