Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said English forward Bukayo Saka is gradually getting used to receiving so much attention from opposing defenders following their 2-0 win over Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Saka, who was the subject of some harsh tackles against the Spanish side at the Emirates Stadium, with four fouls committed against him in the opening 17 minutes, scored in the 64th minute to double Arsenal’s lead after his pass set up Leandro Trossard to initially put them ahead in the 29th minute.
The 22-year-old became the first player since Cesc Fabregas in the 2007–08 season to score and assist in consecutive home games in the Champions League for the Gunners.
A goal and an assist for UEFA’s POTM, Bukayo Saka ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/ORjWkbVJj4
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 8, 2023
However, Arteta, who was in a buoyant mood after his side bounced back from last weekend’s defeat in the Premier League, has charged his star forward to get used to the way teams focus on him as he will continue to attract more players as he grows in the game.
“I think he’s getting used to it,” Arteta said confidently. “I don’t think that’s going to change, especially the way he plays and the way he attracts players.
“He had better get used to it because I don’t think that’s going to change.”
A professional performance in north London ???? pic.twitter.com/oRQmcikK6z
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 8, 2023
Arteta further praised his side for their performance against a difficult Los Nervionenses side following their controversial loss at Newcastle United.
“I think it was more of the really good things that we did against Newcastle,” he stated. “We didn’t need a response because the team performed extraordinarily well against a team that is really difficult to play against and today was other requirements.
“Tactically we needed something else. We were playing at home and we need a different game and we implemented what we wanted really, really well so I’m really happy with the last two performances.”
Arsenal’s win at home puts them at the top of Group B with nine points from four games, and a win in their next game against Lens will confirm their qualification to the knockout rounds, while Sevilla are at the bottom of the table with two points.
