20/08/2025

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WEDNESDAY | AUG 20, 2025

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‘Sloppy’

Gunners

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (left) in action with Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes during the English Premier League match at Old Trafford on Sunday. – REUTERSPIC

Saka makes honest admission on Arsenal’s performance against Man Utd B UKAYO SAKA admitted Arsenal were a long way from their best after they snatched a 1-0 win away to Manchester United in their Premier It proved a difficult afternoon for the Sweden star, who struggled to hold up the ball and did not get a sight of goal before being replaced just after the hour. may have an alternative opinion in pairing Havertz and Gyokeres in the same set-up. “Arsenal needed a centre forward and brought one in, I saw glimpses that made me think he’ll be a handful,” Neville said. Ű BY IAN PARKER

Despite not scoring, Gyokeres has given the team something to “build on”, says Saka. The England international is confident that the striker possesses all the qualities of a top-notch centre forward and is already acclimatising to his new environment. “I was impressed with him and he battled for us. It was tough. There was a big battle up there. I thought he did well. “His performance gives us something to build on and I am sure it will help him next week. He has slotted in well and so have the other guys.” Speaking on Sky Sports , Jamie Carragher backed Gyokeres to be among the goals for Arsenal this season but suggested manager Mikel Arteta may turn elsewhere in the biggest matches. ‘If I’m being honest, I think they go back to (Kai) Havertz in the biggest games, I think that will be the case. I can see Gyokeres playing and scoring goals,” the former Liverpool defender said. A surprised Neville replied: “He can’t leave Gyokeres out of big games”, with Carragher doubling down with “He can”. “I think Havertz is too important a player for Arteta to be left out. I don’t see that happening at all.” In response, Neville suggested that Arteta

“(Gabriel) Martinelli looks like he’s struggling, maybe getting Gyokeres and Havertz in together is something he has to try.” Arsenal have embarked on a substantial summer spending spree over the past few months, splurging vast sums on Gyokores, Martin Zubimendi for £51 million (RM295m), and Noni Madueke for £52 million (RM301m). However, it remains to be seen whether they possess the necessary star quality to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title. Their triumph at Old Trafford was a clear sign of their resilience, and securing a victory at United – despite not performing at their peak – provides reason for optimism. Carragher and Neville both agreed Arsenal’s business indicated Arteta may look to tweak their approach in order to boost their title hopes. “When you think of the great Arsenal sides, they were tough, they had great backlines, they kept clean sheets in big matches,” Neville said. “This is a title winning team who have not won a title and they have to change that.” – The Independent/Agencies

League opener on Sunday. Riccardo Calafiori got the only goal in the 13th minute when he pounced on an error from United’s stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. But Arsenal were otherwise second best at Old Trafford, sloppy in possession against a United side who impressed with their energy and purpose, even if they ultimately could not find an end product. If the Gunners are to take a step forward this season, after three consecutive second placed finishes in the Premier League, they cannot afford too many more displays like this one. “It was not a great performance,” Saka said. “We are happy with the three points, to come away from Old Trafford with a win. “We were not up to our usual standards, the basics, sloppy giveaways. Our decision making was not great and that cost us and gave United a lot of momentum. We did not get punished for it but we cannot do it every game.” A huge amount of the focus coming into the match was on Arsenal’s new £55 million (RM319m) striker Viktor Gyokeres as he came up against his former boss Ruben Amorim.

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