Arsenal are brimming with confidence as they returned to the top of the Premier League after a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta's side have emerged as title challengers and they should thank Bukayo Saka's double for the hard-fought win at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners took the lead inside the first minute through Gabriel Martinelli before Darwin Nunez equalised for Liverpool. Saka put Arsenal back in front late in the first half.
Although Roberto Firmino equalised after the interval, Saka's nerveless penalty sealed Arsenal's eighth win from their nine league matches.
Saka has come a long way since his penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final for England against Italy last year. Saka has taken other penalties since his miss at Wembley Stadium in July last year, but his goal on Sunday was significant as it handed the top spot back to the Gunners.
“I’ve been practicing all the time. I don’t know what was going on – a few bits of fighting. I don’t know if they were trying to delay or to get into my head,” Saka said of the penalty and ill-tempered match against Liverpool.
“But you know I had what I was going to do in my mind and stuck with it, and happy that it went in,”
Next up for Arsenal is the Europa League, where they take on Bodo Glimt on Thursday. In their previous clash, Eddie Nketiah put Arsenal on course for a 3-0 win over Norwegian champions.
However, Arsenal will not have it easy as the match will be played on artificial surface. Gabriel Jesus is expected to remain back home after taking some hits against Liverpool.
Also, Emile Smith Rowe (groin) and Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) are likely to be sidelined.
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Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring Arsenal's third goal in the 3-2 Premier League victory against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on October 9, 2022. PA -
Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring the first goal. AFP -
Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring with Bukayo Saka. AFP -
Gabriel Martinelli scores past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. EPA -
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez celebrates after levelling the scores at 1-1. Getty -
Bukayo Saka scores Arsenal's second goal. AFP -
Bukayo Saka celebrates after putting Arsenal 2-1 ahead in first half stoppage time. EPA -
Bukayo Saka celebrates his first goal. EPA -
Roberto Firmino celebrates Liverpool's second goal at the Emirates Stadium. AFP -
Roberto Firmino scores Liverpool's second goal. AFP -
Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring Liverpool's second goal with teammates. Action Images -
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka scores their third goal from the penalty spot. Reuters -
Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson appeal to referee Michael Oliver after he awarded Arsenal a penalty. AFP -
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates with teammates after scoring the winner. EPA
