Kevin Phillips praised Bukayo Saka on Sky Sports (25/8, 22:11) for never shying away from the ball and being involved in everything for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup at West Brom.
Saka scored his first goal of the season for the Gunners’ fourth at in a 6-0 rout. The 19-year-old slotted past Alex Palmer five minutes into the second-half, as the north London outfit picked up where they ended the first period, to give their campaign a kickstart.
Mikel Arteta handed Saka his first start of the term against Chelsea, after a cameo in the season-opener at Brentford. But it was against West Brom that the Arsenal product found his feet, and Saka could have left with more.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang poked home his first against West Brom after Palmer saved Saka’s shot for Arsenal’s opener. Saka did well to win possession just outside the area by dispossessing Quevin de Castro and shrugging another challenge.
Saka had regular forward forays for Arsenal against West Brom, as well, often skurrying down the channels and causing problems. His finish was emphatic, while Phillips also praised his ability to grow as the game wore on.
“He’s had to deal with a lot off the pitch, as well, over the summer,” Phillips said. “But he just never shies away from the ball, he always wants the ball. And he was involved in everything this evening.
“You saw as the game went on, you thought he might fade a bit, but he got stronger and stronger. And that’s the sign of a top-quality player, which we all know he is. He’s here, there and everything, he’s so direct, comes inside, not afraid to have a shot. He’s just a class player.”
Campbell adds praise for Saka after Arsenal demolish West Brom
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell added his own praise for Saka following the Gunners’ demolition of West Brom. He added: “He’s so young, what is he, 19-years-old? He’s a baby. Super talent, super player, and he will be an Arsenal star for years to come.”
Campbell and Phillips’ praise was no exaggeration after Saka’s display, either. The Gunners gem stepped up to the stage after a poor start to the term for the Emirates Stadium outfit. He left The Hawthorns with one goal and no assists, but his impact was substantially bigger.
Saka also struck a nice rhythm with Arsenal’s £34m signing Martin Odegaard for his goal at West Brom on Wednesday. The England international cut inside to feed the Norwegian, but kept running for Odegaard to play a cute reverse flick. Saka then scoring an emphatic finish.
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