Bukayo Saka grabbed the equaliser as Arsenal earned a 1-1 draw with Benfica in Rome.
The Gunners fell behind to Pizzi’s penalty on 55 minutes having dominated the first half and rued a hat-trick of missed chances by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a night when they settled for a draw when a win was very much there for the taking.
After the game, the England international answered questions from BT Sport. Here’s what he had to say…
On whether Arsenal should have won…
Yeah, definitely. We had a lot of chances, it’s frustrating. We feel like we dominated the whole game and they got a lucky penalty which I don’t think was a penalty. We’ve had to react to it, we’ve dealt with it well. We’ve got a goal back and we could have gone on to win it. It’s not the worst result, we got an away goal.
On nice build-up for his goal…
It was good interplay. We managed to switch the ball to Cedric and we all timed our runs, we were all onside and it was a good finish by myself. I’m happy for that goal.
On how he feels he’s progressing…
I feel like I’m improving every game. I’m trying to progress, trying to learn, listening to the coach because he gives a lot of good advice. I have experienced players around me who are helping a lot. I’m grateful to have a good team around me, a good family around me and I want to keep progressing.
On what Arsenal will learn from last year’s exit…
Managing the game. Last year against Olympiacos we conceded a goal that was quite sloppy, giving away a silly corner and then them scoring from the corner. Managing the game and knowing we can’t put a foot wrong. If we do and they get an away goal it’s going to make it very difficult for us.
Decent result overall, Though we had more than enough chances to win. COYG!
We love you too, Saka❤
It certainly isn’t seeing we have an away goal to take to the ‘home’ leg.
His goal (rather, Odegaard’s pass) alone was worth watching what was the most boring game of the year so far.
On another note, can’t believe no one has mentioned it was NOT a penalty? The ball hit ESR’s chest then the arm. Am I crazy or has the rule changed yet again?
Same with bellerins handball, Everton kicked it at him.
But afaik uefa refs have a different rulebook
I think Prem refs changed their interpretation of the law. Don’t think it was a change to the law.
One day his statue will be outside the stadium (a legend in the making).
Pray Kroenke does not use him to balance the books someday.
I thought this was Saka’s worst game in a long time; he just seemed tired like the rest of the team. Still scores a goal, still has moments. But at nineteen, he needs some time to recover.
Bukayo Saka, the nicest young man alive.
The away goal is big but we’ve left ourselves more trouble than we needed to. In truth, Aruba’s lack of sharpness hurt us tonight. He had a chance in each half that I would normally bank on him putting away. Frustrating, but we are stronger than Benfica, no doubt. I’m confident about next week.
He needs to be rested against City