A victory away from home against Aston Villa, thanks to a Bukayo Saka goal, has provided Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal with a comfortable cushion in the top 4 race. The Gunners are now 4th on the table with 54 points – four points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United with still a game in hand.
This win against Villa has come at a crucial time for the team as Arsenal lost their previous game to Liverpool. So, this game will boost the confidence of the side before going into an international break. Once again in a Premier League game, fine margins separated two sides as Bukayo Saka’s goal in the 30th minute of the match ensured the three points for the red side of London. It was a historic day to remember for the club as they netted their 2000th Premier League goal and restored their hopes of returning to the UEFA Champions League.
A Return To The UCL for Arsenal and Bukayo Saka?
The matchwinner Saka was interviewed after the match and he did not shy away from saying that the club has Champions League aspirations as he said, “Champions League is the goal, but we have to stay humble”. So, the recent good results have clearly not gone to the head of the ambitious 20-year old Englishman. Saka understands that there are 10 Premier League games yet to be played and in a competitive league such as this one, anything can happen and change the momentum of the entire league.
🗣 "Champions League is the goal, but we have to stay humble." – Bukayo Saka
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) March 19, 2022
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With 9 goals and 5 assists in the league, Saka has already established himself as one of the best young prospects in the Premier League. Arteta wants to build a squad for the future around young talents as Saka is undoubtedly one of the important pieces of his plan.
The Gunners have not played in the UCL since the 2016/17 season and their potential comeback to the biggest stage of European football has been five years in the making as of now. This season they are looking highly likely to finish in the top 4 and that would be enough for them to qualify for the Champions League. Arteta has done an incredible job since his appointment and reentry to UCL with the help of youngsters such as Saka would be a sight to behold.
