Don Hutchison has praised Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber for their positive performances despite Arsenal’s 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Manchester United in New York.
That’s another game ticked off for Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of the new Premier League season, but this time, their first defeat of the summer.
Former Liverpool midfielder Hutchison told ESPN that Bukayo Saka looked ‘really sharp’ during the early stages, whilst Jurrien Timber did well again for Arsenal.
Even his own manager is liking what he is seeing from Arsenal’s new boy, who started as a right-back for the Gunners.
Whilst Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho punished the London club, they still created enough chances to score during the game, including Saka watching his effort go wide of the post after a brilliant run.
Aaron Ramsdale won’t be happy with his attempt at trying to save Fernandes’s goal, but whilst he was critiqued, his teammates got some flowers.
“Two good saves from Heaton,” said Hutchison. “Bukayo Saka, who I thought was really sharp for the first 25 minutes of the game.
“Timber I thought done well. I just think it’s very early. When you look at someone like Kai Havertz, who has been at the club for a couple of weeks and Declan Rice has probably had three or four training sessions.
“You can’t read too much into it. It’s a pre-season game. It’s the minutes. It’s the welfare.”
Saka and Timber next season
Ben White and Saka worked well together last season, even though the former had moved from centre-back to right-back.
Well, it’s another centre-back that Saka will be flying on that right channel with next season.
Timber will be a lot different because he is better on the ball than White, plus he has the ability to cut inside and play in the middle of the park.
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