Arsenal produced a superb performance on Saturday evening as they beat local rivals Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta decided to go with youth as Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli both started, and it paid off with a thumping win.
Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Granit Xhaka arrowed a superb free kick into the top corner of the net.
Bukayo Saka looped an effort over Edouard Mendy to make it 3-0, and whilst Tammy Abraham scored to threaten a late fightback, Bernd Leno sealed a 3-1 win by saving Jorginho’s late spot kick.
After some torrid form of late, such a huge win over a bitter rival like Chelsea is a major boost for Arteta – and the performance of Saka was another boost.
The 19-year-old has been a shining light in a dismal season for Arsenal, and he was excellent throughout Saturday’s win – including his rather bizarre goal.
Saka collected a pass from Smith Rowe and ballooned an effort in via the woodwork, which looked like a fluke – though Saka claims he spotted Mendy off his line and intentionally chipped him.
Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish took to Twitter to joke that Saka is a ‘liar’, calling him ‘too funny’ as he claimed the goal was intentional.
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