Saka answers Arteta's call as Arsenal beat Lille 3-0
Bukayo Saka came off the bench to assist and score in Arsenal's 3-0 Champions League win over Lille, responding to Mikel Arteta's challenge for more goals.
Arsenal secured a 3-0 Champions League victory over Lille, with Bukayo Saka making a decisive impact from the bench after recovering from illness. Saka assisted Eberechi Eze's goal for 2-0 before scoring Arsenal's third, answering manager Mikel Arteta's pre-match challenge to aim for multiple goals per game.
Arteta had said Saka should target "two or three" goals per game, and while Saka did not reach that tally, his contribution changed the match. The England forward now has four goals in nine games this season, and Arteta praised his response, noting Saka's illness and his desire to contribute.
Arteta revealed he joked with Saka after the press conference, saying he had "killed" him publicly, and Saka took it well. The manager emphasized setting big objectives and maintaining consistency, while Saka has declined to disclose his personal targets.
Saka's goal came after he missed a late one-on-one in Saturday's Premier League win over Leeds. Arteta has tweaked Saka's positioning to get him closer to goal, and the player has scored five in his last four England matches, including a double in a 7-0 Nations League win over Croatia. He now has 19 goals in major European competitions for Arsenal, behind only Thierry Henry, and nine Champions League assists, trailing Henry and Cesc Fabregas.
Arteta made five changes for the match, with Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres starting. Eze scored his first of the season, while Madueke provided an assist but had a mixed night. Gyokeres struggled, managing just 12 touches before being replaced, and Kai Havertz looked a more natural fit, setting up Saka's goal. Arteta brought on Saka, Havertz and Martin Odegaard after going 1-0 up, and all three contributed, underscoring their importance to the team.
Supporters have long debated Saka's role and whether he can maintain his output amid injuries and increased attention from defenders. His performance against Lille offered evidence that he remains a key figure for Arsenal as they pursue more honours.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
