Bukayo Saka

ARSENAL continued their impressive start to the season with a professional 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League.

Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Buakyo Saka at polar ends of the game ensured the Gunners made it two wins from two in Europe.

5

5

Martinelli made the most of some fortune after just 12 minutes as he tapped in the ball following a rebound off the post which presented itself to him basically on the line.

The Greek visitors threatened to create their own odyssey in north London as they forced David Raya into an excellent save at full stretch.

But super sub Saka proved to be their Achilles’ heel as he squeezed a second goal through the legs of Konstantinos Tzolakis in injury time.

Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners at the Emirates.

DAVID RAYA – 8/10

Another Champions League wonder save for the collection, tipping over brilliantly from Daniel Podence’s curled volley from 10 yards out in the first half.

Also made two lightning-fast reaction stops after the break. He barely has to do anything, but when called upon he never lets you down. Surely he needs to be considered one of Europe’s very best?

MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7

Looked like a man with a point to prove and did so with a confident performance for a teenager who has been forced to watch from the sidelines for most of this term with Riccardo Calafiori preferred at left-back.

At 18, he already looks so at home on the European stage. Arteta will have a selection headache on his hands for this weekend.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

WILLIAM SALIBA – 6

Has been in the spotlight after signing a new five-year deal, but had a few nervy moments at the back letting long balls bounce, putting the back four under pressure.

Yet as he always does, the Frenchman recovered well.

GABRIEL – 6

Not troubled much but was almost caught out with a looping cross that saw Olympiacos level only to be saved by the offside flag.

BEN WHITE – 5

5

Received a rollocking from Arteta when taking a throw-in about his positioning and movement on the ball, and the Englishman gave some back in a worrying exchange.

This was a chance to try and usurp Timber as Arteta’s first-choice right-back, but he just looks off the pace and is reliant on right-side pal Saka to look good in attack.

At this rate, White will not be winning back his starting jersey any time soon.

MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 7

He may be small, and a pest, but his influence is mighty. There is a reason Arteta barely ever rests him.

Tough in the tackle, accurate on the ball and the middle-man between defence and attack, giving Odegaard license to roam and dictate wherever he pleases.

It’s been said before, but he will turn out to be one of Arteta’s most important signings in his Arsenal tenure.

MIKEL MERINO – 6

Some good moments on and off the ball, adding a bit of bite to midfield, but also some moments where his final pass or attacking intent could have been better.

MARTIN ODEGAARD – 9

5

Has his zip back, constantly creating in dangerous areas and covering every blade of grass with a purpose.

So unlucky not to double Arsenal’s lead inside the final 10 minutes and then picked up an assist for Saka in stoppage time.

Some more minutes in the tank after his shoulder issues is good to see as Arteta tries to get him back to the form that saw him notch goals and assists for fun in recent years.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8

After shining off the bench for the majority of the season – starting just three times so far – he got his chance from the off to prove he can be the main man.

It did not start brilliantly, nodding a header wide unmarked from a few yards out before finding the net with an even easier chance that came off the post.

LEANDRO TROSSARD – 7

Lively down the left. Looks to be enjoying getting more regular game time in an Arsenal shirt, and is becoming more and more useful to Arteta as he tries to rotate his talented squad much more than he usually does.

Wasted a few openings in the second half.

VIKTOR GYOKERES – 6

He continues to do the dirty work with little reward, bumping off two Olympiacos defenders and seeing his shot go through the keeper and onto the base of the post before Martinelli snatched the spoils.

Wasted several chances in front of goal but his link-up play has much improved since he first joined. The goals will surely start flowing soon…

SUBS:

DECLAN RICE (MERINO, 58) – 6

A few nice deliveries from set-pieces but booked for a silly studs-up challenge. Brought on purely to see out the win, and he did that comfortably.

JURRIEN TIMBER (WHITE, 58) – 6

One of Arteta’s most trusted players. Exudes calmness whenever he is on the pitch.

BUKAYO SAKA (TROSSARD, 72) – 8

An instant threat and his driving run and cross should have led to Arsenal’s second before doing just that with a drilled strike through the legs of the keeper

EBERECHI EZE (MARTINELLI, 72) – 6

A few nice touches, but also a few stray passes. Spent most of his time tracking back as Arsenal held on late into the game.

MOSQUERA (GABRIEL, 74) – 6

Was put under a lot of pressure with Olympiacos sending cross after cross into the box with time ticking away, but dealt with it well.

He needed that after his mistake at St James’ Park led to Newcastle taking the lead, and also led to him being hooked at half time.

5

BUKAYO SAKA and Martin Odegaard’s are doubts for Liverpool after hobbling off against Leeds.

Both players were struck down with injuries either side of half-time.

1

Captain Odegaard fell awkwardly under a challenge and appeared to hurt his shoulder.

He initially continued but was hauled off after a few minutes and replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

Arsenal were 1-0 ahead at the time and did not take long to add another, Saka firing past the keeper shortly after Odegaard went off.

But the Gunners talisman also picked up an injury, lasting just eight minutes into the second half.

Saka appeared to suffer a hamstring injury and he received treatment before hobbling off.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.

VIKTOR GYOKERES got his eye in and his first Arsenal goal in the Emirates Cup win over Atletico Bilbao.

It was the last opportunity for the striker and the club’s other new signings to impress the fans before the season starts.

9

9

9

And Gyokeres, 27, made his mark on the game as he scored the opening goal at the Emirates.

It would have been a relief for the Swede to see the net bulge as he had squandered chances beforehand.

Arsenal‘s second came just moments later after a brilliant passage move led to Bukayo Saka tapping into an empty net.

The only thing is that the Gunners’ players will be hoping the Emirates Cup is not the only trophy they lift this season.

In the irrelevant penalty shootout after the game Adama Boiro missed the crucial spotkick as Arsenal won that too.

Here’s how SunSport reporter Henry Tomlinson rated the Arsenal players…

David Raya – 6

A comfortable outing for the goalkeeper, who had little to do but dealt with what did come his way.

Made a key save in the shootout and went the right way for a lot of them.

Riccardo Calafiori 45′ – 4

Almost gifted Bilbao the lead in the 16th minute as his weak pass in the Arsenal box was cut out by Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta – who was denied by Raya.

Going forward, he blazed over from the edge of the box after being presented with a great opportunity when the game was goalless.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN

Was subbed off at half time for Ben White.

William Saliba – 6

Like Raya, was a reasonably quiet game for the centre-back with little threat coming from Bilbao.

The Frenchman will be hoping for a similar requirement when Arsenal face Manchester United next Sunday.

Took a brilliant penalty in the shootout.

Gabriel Magalhaes 62′ – 6

Gabriel was the other beneficiary of an easy time on the pitch as the Gunners maintained a lot of control of the ball.

But for the Brazilian is more important to have minutes in the legs after he made his return from injury.

Jurrien Timber 62′ – 6

Made sure he was getting forward to support the attacks early on.

Looked like he picked up a knock after one burst up the pitch but was able to soldier on.

Martin Zubimendi – 7

9

Fairly quiet game from the Spanish midfielder, which is what can be expected from him.

The former Real Sociedad man is there to do the dirty work and offload the ball and he managed to do that.

He did show one brilliant bit of quality as his whipped cross was on a dime for Gyokeres’ goal.

Converted the winning penalty in the shootout.

Declan Rice 81′ – 6

Helped maintain the pace of the game from midfield with his passing and linking of the play.

A perfectly acceptable performance but not as impressive as Zubimendi.

Martin Odegaard 81′ – 6

9

Constantly involved with the forward play as expected and led the team to a comfortable victory.

He lacked cutting edge at times as the Gunners could have had even more.

Bukayo Saka – 8

Looked dangerous from the start and almost put the hosts ahead after a good move as he was only denied by Unai Simon.

Was in the right place at the right time to slot home the second into an empty net.

Hit the bottom corner with his penalty.

Gabriel Martinelli 45′ – 6

9

Wasted a good chance in the opening exchanges as he fired wide after picking up a loose ball from the Bilbao defence.

Showed his quick thinking to perfectly lay off the ball for Saka to double the lead.

Mikel Arteta sacraficed the winger at half time to give more minutes to Noni Madueke.

Viktor Gyokeres 69′ – 8

It looked to be a frustrating afternoon for the striker as he fluffed his lines on a couple of early chances.

But it was a case of third time lucky as he fantastically headed past Simon for the opener.

Following the goal, Gyokeres was clearly more confident as his link-up play was much improved.

He almost made it two for himself after the hour mark but this header was denied by the post.

Subs

Noni Madueke 45′ – 6

9

Showed flashes of pace when he could but was mostly up against a deep block.

Almost grabbed an assist for Gyokeres before full time.

Converted his spot kick emphatically.

Ben White 45′ – 6

Immediately got into the action with an overlapping run into the box, but just failed to control the ball well enough.

Myles Lewis-Skelly 62′ – 5

9

Replaced Jurrien Timber just after the hour mark and picked up a yellow card just minutes later.

Cristhian Mosquera 62′ – 6

Was subbed on in place of Gabriel and partnered, but had little to do.

Kai Havertz 69′ – 7

9

Had a great chance to put the Gunners out of sight, but his tame effort was saved by Simon.

Made amends for the missed with a neat finish in the 81st minute to show that Gyokeres still has some competition.

Slotted his penalty past Simon very coolly.

Ethan Nwaneri 81′ – N/A

Replaced Odegaard late on and gained some minutes.

His penalty did not go to plan as he fired over from 12 yards.

Mikel Merino 81′ – N/A

He was played in the midfield for a change as he replaced Rice for the closing stages.

Smashed his penalty into the top corner. Unsaveable.

Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates