Mikel Arteta compares Bukayo Saka to Lionel Messi after Arsenal earn Wolves win

Bukayo Saka wasted little time in making a Premier League impact as he provided a goal and assist against Wolves to ensure Arsenal got off to winning ways at the Emirates

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has compared the challenge of facing Bukayo Saka to that of Lionel Messi, following the Gunners’ win over Wolves.

Saka provided a goal and an assist on his return to Premier League action as the north London side start another campaign in search of the title. The 22-year-old delivered a teasing cross for Kai Havertz to convert in the opening half before the German international returned the favour for Saka to cut in and beat Jose Sa.

The second-half goal was a typical strike from Arsenal’s talisman and left many wondering why teams allow him to cut inside. For Arteta it’s very simple.

“With good players it’s like that,” said the Arsenal coach. “With Messi I know he’s gonna come here and put the ball there, but he does it all the time. You can’t stop him. That’s the quality of the players.”

Havertz was similarly complimentary of his teammate. The former Chelsea ace was pleased with his side’s performance and believes Saka can still improve.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “We can be happy but there was some room to improve.

“The first 20 minutes were good. We had good chances. We then lost a bit of control of the game and our press didn’t work. Always 100% we defended deep very well. We didn’t give them a lot of chances and it is three points.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s second goal ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
“Saka is unbelievable. There are not a lot of players like him on the planet and he is still so young. He can get better. It is very rare to see a young player like this perform every week at the highest level.”

Arteta was also impressed with the level of his stars who returned late after their efforts at Euro 2024. Saka, along with David Raya and Declan Rice were in Germany for the duration of the tournament.

“I’m not surprised,” Arteta noted. “That was their mentality straight away after the last game they said I’m gonna be ready for the first game.

“I spoke to them after the summer, and tried to arrange a plan. They wanted to come back and be here early. They were already getting prepared when they were on holidays.

“This is the mentality that we need. If players are doing that compromise it will grow around the team and they will step up the level. That’s what we need.”