Bukayo Saka recently voiced his frustration with a fellow Arsenal player after their latest match, expressing his dissatisfaction with the player’s on-field behavior. Saka’s frustration stemmed from an incident that nearly resulted in a red card, and he believes such conduct is unacceptable for the team.
He has made it clear that if the coach, Mikel Arteta, does not take action and bench the player in the next game, Saka will step down from his role as captain. The issue highlights Saka’s strong stance on team discipline and his commitment to maintaining high standards as a leader.
In terms of the match itself, Arsenal once again found themselves leading comfortably 2-0 in the first half, a situation reminiscent of their recent game against Leicester City. However, unlike Leicester, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) posed a much tougher challenge in the second half. Despite the pressure from PSG, Arsenal managed to maintain control and avoided the late-game drama that had troubled them in past European matches.
This performance reflected a significant shift from last season, when Arsenal sometimes appeared naïve in high-stakes games. Mikel Arteta commented on this growth, praising the team’s increased maturity, focus, and determination, especially against such a formidable opponent.
After the match, Saka also spoke optimistically about Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title this season. With solid performances like the one against PSG, even against top-tier opposition, Saka’s confidence in the team’s potential success is understandable.
The match also saw the debut of Mikel Merino, who recently joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad. Although his debut was delayed due to an injury during his first training session, Merino made an immediate impact with his leadership on the pitch.
Despite limited time with the squad, he seamlessly integrated into the team’s defensive and attacking setups. While his passing wasn’t at its sharpest, his physical presence and ability to win duels impressed both the crowd and his teammates.
Kai Havertz’s growing influence was also evident in this match. His well-timed header, set up by Leandro Trossard’s run and cross, marked his sixth consecutive goal at the Emirates. Arteta praised Havertz’s intelligence and ability to find space, noting his increasing confidence in physical battles, which has shifted the conversation around Arsenal’s need for a new striker. Havertz appears to have cemented his role as a key player for the team.