Bukayo Saka is delighted to be back playing alongside Martin Odegaard after the duo starred in Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of Sporting CP.
Captain Odegaard had missed two months of Arsenal’s season with an ankle injury but has returned for their last two Premier League games, claiming assists against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest before impressing in Portugal on Tuesday evening.
Saka, who had also missed a period with injury, scored the Gunners’ fourth goal from the penalty spot as Mikel Arteta’s men bounced back in the Champions League with a resounding win having lost last time out against Inter Milan.
Asked about the Norwegian, Saka told TNT Sports: “He’s an unbelievable player. The day he returned, there was a big smile on my face. You can see the chemistry we have. I hope he stays fit for the rest of the season.
“This is where we belong. We’ve shown the level we can play at.”
Portguese champions Sporting were previously unbeaten at home before Tuesday evening’s clash and beat Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Manchester City 4-1 in their last European game at the José Alvalade Stadium.
“We know they haven’t lost here this season but we believed in ourselves’, Saka added. “Everyone was top, I’m really proud of all the boys today.
“It was an important penalty but I didn’t feel the pressure. I was confident.”
Our biggest away win in the Champions League since Inter Milan in 2003.
Check out the match report from a memorable evening in Lisbon 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2024
Arsenal had five different scorers as Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard were also on target, with Goncalo Ignacio grabbing one for the hosts early in the second half.
Goalscorer Havertz added: “Everyone was involved. The way we played was very good and we’re very happy.
“We played very well and we always found the space and free men. We had lots of solutions and we did very well.
“After last season’s loss against Munich we wanted to do better, especially away from home. Today we wanted to turn it around and show we can win games away from home.
“Today we were exceptional and we can be proud of that.”
