Arsenal got their season off to a great start as Mikel Arteta’s side beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s men are once again looking to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title after coming so close in two successive seasons.
The Gunners kicked off their campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal claimed a fairly routine victory.
Kai Havertz got the ball rolling, heading home Bukayo Saka’s first-half cross to put Arsenal in front.
There were some scares as David Raya made a stunning save to deny Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen at 1-0.
Arsenal wrapped up the win after the break though as Havertz turned provider for Saka, who smashed home a left-footed drive to make it 2-0.
Gary Neville on Bukayo Saka
Declan Rice may not have been at his absolute best but England teammate Saka was sensational.
The Arsenal wide man bagged a goal and an assist to start the season and you can be sure that there will be more to come.
Saka racked up 16 goals and nine assists in the Premier League last term but is already off the mark in both categories this season.
The statistics look huge impressive; five key passes, three shots on target, two accurate crosses and even two tackles won.
Saka was simply outstanding against Wolves and showed no signs of a post-Euro 2024 hangover.
The most consistent man for club and country, Saka is deservedly receiving praise from all corners.
Pundit Gary Neville has now joined in, telling the Gary Neville Podcast that he felt Saka was ‘fantastic’ against Wolves.
Neville added that he thinks Arsenal are going to have a ‘really good’ season, sharing his belief in what Mikel Arteta is doing at the Emirates Stadium.
“I watched the highlights of it… Saka looked fantastic,” said Neville. “Havertz obviously getting his goal with a little header, that was a good one as well. It was a solid, solid day for Arsenal. Arsenal are a very good team now and they’re at a point where they don’t need to make big changes in the squad, they just need little additions.”
“They’re in a good place. I think Mikel Arteta has got a really good understanding, even though the trophies haven’t been coming the last few years, you can see real progression, a massive points tally last year and I think they’ll have a really good season,” he added.
Alan Shearer on Saka
Neville’s sentiment is shared by Alan Shearer, who heaped praise on Saka on Match of the Day.
Shearer made a point to praise Saka, suggesting that he was ‘absolutely superb’ down Arsenal’s right flank.
The Newcastle United hero – who also shared his fears over the Magpies trying to sign Marc Guehi – knows what it takes to be a Premier League star year after year and Saka is doing the same thing right now.
“First of all, I have got to say how great Saka was today, one goal, one assist. Just absolutely superb, he was,” said Shearer.
It may only be the first game of the season but Saka’s display felt like a statement.
This was Saka after a full summer of Euro 2024 football and a limited pre-season, but he was right back at it, terrorising Premier League defenders once again.
If Saturday was anything to go by, Saka is going to be a menace throughout the season once again – and may just push Arsenal even closer to Premier League glory.
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