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Bukayo Saka has declared tonight is one he will “never forget” after Arsenal brushed aside PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus ensured a comfortable half-time lead before Martin Odegaard completed the rout late on.
The win eased the Gunners back into Champions League life after a six-year hiatus from the competition. Saka’s opener saw the England international play a deft one-two with Martin Odegaard before blasting home with his weaker foot from close range.
Saka joined an elite group of players, which includes Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to have scored on their Champions League debut. With the job done before half-time, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was able to withdraw several key players - including Saka - ahead of Sunday’s mammoth North London Derby showdown against Tottenham Hotspur.
The 21-year-old took to social media after the game to crown Wednesday night’s win as a moment he will stay with him forever. A convincing win puts Arsenal top of Group B as Lens drew 1-1 away at Sevilla.
One fan replied calling Saka “the best” English player at present, with another urging him to never leave North London. The winger, who also assisted Trossard for the second, took his tally to the campaign to three goals from seven games.
Getting off to a flyer in has many supporters believing they could potentially breaking their Champions League duck this season. A lengthy spell away from UEFA's elite competition threatened to make magical nights at the Emirates Stadium a distant memory but, under Arteta's stewardship, fans are dreaming again. For context, goal hero Saka was just 14 when the Gunners were knocked out by Barcelona in 2016.
