Sky pundit issues verdict on Bukayo Saka for Arsenal vs Southampton

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Clinton Morrison feels Bukayo Saka was one of the positives for Arsenal from Friday’s 3-3 draw with Southampton. The forward came alive to equalise in the 90th minute.

Carlos Alcaraz (1’) and Theo Walcott (14’) stunned the Gunners to hand the Saints a dream start at Emirates Stadium. Duje Caleta-Car (66’) would also restore Southampton’s two-goal lead after Gabriel Martinelli (20’) hit. But Martin Odegaard (88’) and Saka (90’) would reply.

Arsenal left it late to save a point against the relegation-threatened south coast side. While Southampton had opened the scoring after a mistake from Aaron Ramsdale gifted Alcaraz possession. Walcott then struck against his old club after ghosting past Gabriel Magalhaes.

Arsenal star Saka had Perraud chasing shadows during the first-half

Southampton boss Ruben Selles reacted to entering half-time with a 2-1 lead by replacing Alcaraz with Lyanco. His decision to move to a five-at-the-back formation gave the Gunners control of the ball. But Mikel Arteta’s men struggled to break down their resilient backline.

Saka and Martinelli had enjoyed considerable success attacking against Southampton’s two full-backs before the break. Romain Perraud and Kyle Walker-Peters struggled to hold them back without grappling the forwards. The pair also both drew yellow cards in the first half.

It was from one of Saka’s confident bursts that Martinelli would score, as well. The England dynamo stood Perraud up to drive to the byline and drill his cross into the Brazilian. While Saka eventually delivered the equaliser after staying alive in the area to divert the rebound.

Saka stood out to Morrison at home to Southampton on Friday night

Saka stood out to Morrison against Southampton having driven Arsenal’s efforts to restore parity from 2-0 and 3-1 behind. The former Republic of Ireland striker particularly admired how the winger stayed alert to score. Saka found a pocket of space as Reiss Nelson struck.

“I thought Saka was brilliant,” Morrison told Sky Sports News (22/04, 12:10). “He just gets in and just knows [the] areas [to cause problems]. It’s a good goal, this is – good play, good shot and he comes alive in the box, Saka. That’s where you want him to be.”