Bukayo Saka has proven England teammate Jadon Sancho wrong after the winger joked last year that he needed to “humble” the Arsenal star. Saka has gone on to be a key player for Mikel Arteta this season, leading the charge towards a top-four push.
His most recent goal came against Sancho and United, with a calmly tucked away penalty to double his side’s lead. It was his second goal from the spot in as many games, banishing the demons of the summer, where he missed the crucial penalty that saw the Three Lions knocked out of the European Championship final as runners up.
Discussing how proud he was of the 20-year-old for taking the penalty, Arteta said: "I thought Gabi was going to take it, and when I saw that Bukayo was going to take it, honestly, the first thing I thought was back in the summer and what happened."
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Gabriel Jesus deal close, Thomas Partey boost, Abraham price
"But again, I said to you guys, when that happened to Bukayo, it happened for a reason. He learned so much, and he's been through so much that's why he's having the season he's having today. For him to have the courage to say 'I'm going to take it again' – because I'm sure it would have been in the back of his mind – for me it's top order, even if he missed it."
The two penalties took him to 11 Premier League goals for the season, proving Sancho wrong from a previous statement he made last summer. During the England international camp, the former Borussia Dortmund man had joked with Saka about his goal involvements.
He said, speaking to Lions' Den: "I had to humble him, he had to (run away really quickly after Sancho asked Saka how many goals he has scored this season). He knew. Things like that, people don't take it personally. But that's the banter we kind of have. So, it's fun."
While it was all fun and games, the Arsenal man has been able to flip it back on Sancho this season. Since his move to Old Trafford, the winger has struggled to settle, scoring just three goals this campaign.
A new chapter coming for the Red Devils could offer the 22-year-old a fresh start. Next season may be interesting if they want to compare numbers again.
