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Fired-up Saka tells his Gunners team-mates to be wary of ‘doing a Liverpool’ in title race We must be 100 percent on it ...every game’s a final now
BUKAYO SAKA has warned his Arsenal team-mates they must not crack under pressure against their great local rivals – like Liverpool did in midweek.
The Reds saw their Premier League title hopes all but ended by Everton on Wednesday night and Saka, who watched in anticipation from his sofa, is out to ensure the Gunners do not suffer the same fate against derby foes Tottenham today.
When asked what Arsenal can learn from the seasondefining fireworks at Goodison Park, the 22-year-old attacker said: “I try not to read too much into those games, but at the same time it shows that you have to be 100 percent focused every match.
“Each team, or most of the teams, have something to play for. Each game is like a final for all of us competing for the title, especially this one.
“With it being a north London derby as well, it’s going to be even bigger as a game. I’m just focused on performing.”
Saka, who also made reference to Manchester City’s “unbelievable” 4-0 demolition of Brighton, has warned Tottenham that they can kick him all day long – and he will just keep on getting up.
The resilient winger has been left battered and bruised all season by opposition defenders, but added: “I feel like I’m physically much stronger than I was four or five years ago. For each tackle. I have more experience in terms of which ones to go for and which ones to jump, to try to avoid a big tackle.
“So I’m much smarter as well as physically stronger.”
Arsenal legend Bob Wilson recently urged Premier League officials to crack down on the issue that has plagued Arsenal’s season – warning that Saka faces “being kicked out of the game” by 25 if things do not change.
Still, having spent countless hours in ice baths – which he admits he does not like – and the sauna, Saka remains unfazed, and said: “I don’t try to put those negative thoughts in my head because then I’ll start to be more shy in the duels and then it will affect my game.
“I do not worry about it. There’s two elements. The first is that the defenders can’t do that all game, they get yellowcarded and then have to stop.
“The second element is that, as an attacking player, you are in the team to score goals and to create goals.
“Part of that is going to involve having to beat defenders and they’re going to try their best to stop you.
“One way they like to stop you is kicking you. But just because you get a kick, you can’t hide away.
“A lot of the time, if I stay on the floor for too long it breaks the momentum for the team, so I just try to get on with it. The hunger to win keeps me going. That’s why I keep getting up.”
Saka joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at the age of seven and is under no illusions that today’s clash is no ordinary game of football.
This time around the north London derby could make or break the Gunners’ season.
The England star, who has scored 14 Premier League goals and needs one more to record his bestever tally in the top tier, added: “I know
what it means – to myself, to my family and friends, and obviously to all our fans – for us to beat Tottenham.
“There’s also a Premier League title race that we are in, we know those points are so important.
“We need to focus on getting those three points – and just try to block everything else out.”