SAKA BOUNC ES BUK
‘I told you we’d be ready’ says gleeful Arteta
BRILLIANT Bukayo Saka stretched Arsenal’s lead in the top-four race – before Mikel Arteta swerved a war of words with Antonio Conte.
Tottenham boss Conte had let rip 24 hours earlier over complaints from the Gunners boss about fixture congestion – reminding everyone their bitter rivals called off the north London derby because of Covid.
However, having seen his troops move four points clear in fourth place by brushing aside disappointing Aston Villa, Arteta refused to hit back at the Italian’s taunts.
Instead, with a fifth straight away victory leaving them in pole position to qualify for their first Champions League campaign since 2016, he preferred to focus on the positives.
Arteta said: “I never comment on another manager’s comments. I only give my opinion.
“I can complain about what’s fair or not, but I told you we’d be ready today. This is a big win after losing to Liverpool. Our personality and performance was excellent.” As for his message heading into the final stretch, Arteta, who expects matchwinner Saka to be fit for England duty despite coming off after 69 minutes, added: “We’ve 10 games to go. That’s what matters.
“The past, including today, is now irrelevant.”
Despite Wednesday’s 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool, Arsenal still arrived here as favourites to take fourth spot. This was one of two games in hand they held over closest challengers Manchester United – and they showed that they meant business.
Villa, with eight wins and nine defeats in 19 games under Steve Gerrard, are a clearly mixed bag.
But during the early stages yesterday it was not a question of which Villa would show up – more would one show up at all.
Saka had one of his quietest games of the season against Jurgen Klopp’s title chasers three days earlier and was players guil Odegaard’ bar after t
Then S wickedly Emiliano reflex stop.
That mad failure to s winner all t
hooked before the end. Yesterday, normal order was restored, in that respect, as the England sensation ran proceedings until his withdrawal.
However, despite plenty of neat passing, the visitors’ final ball or shot often lacked the required composure. Emile Smith Rowe, starting for the first time in more than a month, was one of the of that, blasting Martin s clever lay-off over the
minutes. aka’s cross, deflecting off Ezri Konsa, forced Martinez into a superb
Argentinian’s view could have been partially blocked by his defenders but, in truth, Saka’s left-foot volley from the edge of the area lacked pace and should not have sneaked past his right hand.
The most notable moment from a Villa player before the break was Tyrone Mings’ sliding lunge on fellow countryman Saka.
The defender took the ball, but also his tormentor’s leg – and was booked after a small skirmish broke out.
Saka later admitted: “Sometimes I need a bit more protection when the opposition is trying to kick me. That’s what I told the ref.”
By the time that Saka was subbed, he could have bagged a hat-trick, slipping with a 55th-minute attempt and then seeing a goal-bound drive diverted to safety. Which was the spark for Villa to get rolling – albeit way too late to warrant anything other than a second successive reverse.
John McGinn went close with one curling effort before a subdued Ollie Watkins hit a post with a shot that struck an Arsenal defender en route.
The closest the hosts came to an equaliser was through substitute Danny Ings’ looping header over Bernd Leno’s bar.
That was on 84 minutes. The hosts’ only shot on target was Philippe Coutinho’s free-kick . . . in injury time.
Villa boss Gerrard was unimpressed, and said: “We didn’t deserve anything after that.
“We lacked belief and showed them too much respect.
“We could have snatched something, but I have no complaints about the result.”