‘Outstanding’: Alan Shearer says Arsenal have an ‘amazing’ player who blew him away on opening day
Although Arsenal embarked on a fresh season on Saturday against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mikel Arteta oversaw a very familiar performance and victory.
The Gunners were well worth their 2-0 win, Arteta’s side controlled the game from start to finish and given Riccardo Calafiori remained on the bench, it felt like the Arsenal of old.
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were dovetailing brilliantly up top, supported by captain Martin Odegaard who was also at his best.
In terms of improvements, both William Saliba and Thomas Partey suffered some slack moments, something you can’t often say about the Frenchman in particular.
Saliba was mostly strong in his minutes but almost gifted Wolves an equaliser when he played the ball to Matheus Cunha, and he then also allowed Jorgen Strand Larsen to run off him for his headed opportunity.
In midfield, perhaps Partey demonstrated why Arsenal are so keen to sign Mikel Merino, perhaps planning to move Declan Rice to the six.
Partey had some brilliant moments against Wolves but often gave the ball away unnecessarily – something Arteta won’t tolerate.
Alan Shearer is running out of compliments for Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka
Speaking on the ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast after the weekend, Alan Shearer admitted there was one Arsenal performance in particular that left him purring.
Bukayo Saka scored and assisted for the Gunners on Saturday, and Shearer admitted that he was almost running out of compliments for the England international.
Shearer shared: “What a player man, I mean the cross in for Havertz’s goal, then his finish the way he moved it, I mean I can’t think of any other words that he haven’t used for him already.
“He’s just bloody outstanding isn’t he, he’s an amazing player.”
Of course, the challenge for Arsenal will be ensuring that they can find suitable backup for Saka before the transfer window closes.
As mentioned, Merino should be an Arsenal player soon, but the club don’t seem any closer to welcoming the new wide-forward Arteta also desires.
Perhaps Reiss Nelson may ultimately stay and provide cover on the right, but Arsenal could definitely be more ambitious in that regard – Saka would still be a huge loss in that scenario.
