Bukayo Saka hails Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard who scored another crucial goal, leading Gunners to victory against Newcastle United in a high-stakes Premier League match.
- Arsenal secures a hard-fought victory against Newcastle United at St James’ Park
- Martin Odegaard’s stunning 25-yard strike proves decisive, earning praise from teammate Bukayo Saka
- The win demonstrates Arsenal’s progress, as they have already qualified for the Champions League this season and are now guaranteed to finish at least 2nd
Arsenal’s tense battle against Newcastle United at St James’ Park saw the Gunners close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the table.
With just three games remaining, the pressure was on, but captain Martin Odegaard rose to the occasion with a stunning 25-yard strike – his third goal this week and 15th of an impressive season.
Bukayo Saka was at the heart of Arsenal’s gritty performance, working tirelessly from the first minute until he was subbed off in the second half. His efforts paid off, as the team’s hard-fought win demonstrated the progress they’ve made over the past year.
After the game, Saka had nothing but praise for his captain, highlighting Odegaard’s leadership both on and off the pitch.
“He’s a fantastic leader, he has been all season,” Saka said. “He’s been leading by example, on and off the pitch. Hopefully he can continue this form.”
The match wasn’t without its challenges, as Newcastle started strong and even had a penalty shout. However, once Odegaard’s sublime goal found the back of the net, Arsenal took control of the game. Saka acknowledged the intensity of the match and the need to give their all, especially against a Newcastle side in top form at home.
“It was a really high-intensity game,” he added. “We really gave everything from minute one to 96, because we needed to. Newcastle are in great form, especially here at home, so I’m really proud that we came here and won.”
Arsenal’s development over the past 12 months is evident, as the team has already secured Champions League qualification – a stark contrast to last year’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle, which derailed their hopes of reaching Europe’s elite competition.
“Last year we were challenging for something different,” he said. “It was the Champions League while obviously this year we’ve already qualified, so we can say we’ve progressed as a team.”
Mikel Arteta post-match press conference
Mikel Arteta shared his delight in a post-match press conference following Arsenal’s crucial 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park. The Gunners, driven by the pain of last year’s costly defeat in the same venue, showed impressive resilience and focus throughout the match.
Arteta spoke of his pride in his team’s performance, praising their game management and determination. The manager also highlighted captain Martin Odegaard’s significant contribution and looked ahead to their upcoming match against Brighton.
The Arsenal boss described the feeling after the victory as one of pride, stating, “When you have question marks, you have to resolve them straight away.” He added that experiencing the emotions from last year’s disappointment in the dressing room fuelled the team’s desire for success this time around.
Arteta showed his players clips from last season’s defeat to remind them of the pain and instil a sense of revenge. The manager was pleased with how his team controlled the game, especially against a strong Newcastle side, and commended them for handling the situation better than their opponents.
Discussing the team’s response to the VAR overturning of a penalty decision, Arteta acknowledged that the incident could have changed the course of the game. However, he was pleased with the composure and control Arsenal displayed after scoring the decisive goal, which allowed them to dictate the match.
When comparing the performance at St James’ Park this season to last year, Arteta insisted that a much better showing was necessary to secure a win against a well-coached and highly motivated Newcastle side. He challenged his players to individually deliver their best performances of the season, and they rose to the occasion.
Arteta also lauded Odegaard’s leadership and consistency, saying, “It’s not moments, it’s every single day. Home and away, he’s had some huge performances, he’s really helping the team, he’s growing in the right direction.”
The manager also expressed his satisfaction with the team’s fight in the title race, urging them to maintain focus and determination.
Looking ahead to the Brighton match, Arteta stressed the importance of carrying momentum and proving their ability to perform consistently over the season’s final stretch.