Joleon Lescott believes Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka is showing his inexperience of a title race in his reaction against Manchester City. But be backs to forward to win many in his career.
The Citizens hero spotted how Saka appeared resigned to losing to the Etihad Stadium side after the Gunners fell behind for a second time on Wednesday. Jack Grealish (72’) restored Pep Guardiola’s side’s advantage in north London after the Hale Ender (42’) had equalised.
Saka drew Arsenal level before the break from the penalty spot after Kevin De Bruyne (24’) broke the deadlock. But Grealish fired home before Erling Haaland (82’) added a third goal to seal the result. It also lifted Manchester City above the Gunners at the top of the table.
Arsenal had led the Premier League table since November 6 and held an eight-point lead to Manchester City on January 15. Yet Mikel Arteta’s side now rank second on goal difference to Guardiola’s. Although the Emirates Stadium outfit hold one game in hand on their rivals.
The Gunners can also point to poor mistakes by Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhaes for De Bruyne and Grealish’s goals. Arsenal initially fell behind after De Bruyne intercepted Tomiyasu’s backpass. While Grealish restored his team’s lead after a loose pass by Gabriel.
Lescott feels Saka showed his title race naivety as Manchester City beat Arsenal
Saka was one of the silver linings from Arsenal’s defeat to their Premier League title rivals, Manchester City, on Wednesday. The 21-year-old kept his cool to send Ederson the wrong way and score his eighth goal of the season. He has also laid on eight assists in 22 outings.
Bernardo Silva regularly resorted to fouling Saka to stop him from attacking, as well. While his relentless pressing of the makeshift left-back forced Guardiola to change his plans after the first half. But Manchester City then established control whilst Arsenal cost themselves.
Now, Lescott suggests Saka showed his title race naivety as Grealish put Manchester City back ahead at Arsenal. The Citizens hero, who won two top-flight titles at the Etihad, felt the England forward’s reaction to his compatriot scoring showed he lost belief in them winning.
“The TV cameras panned to Bukayo Saka when City went 2-1 up and he had a resigned look on his face as if the game had gone,” Lescott has written in a column for LiveScore.
“That’s not a dig at Bukayo, who has been outstanding and will win many things in his career. But it’s just the mark of a youngster experiencing this kind of title race for the first time.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
