Arsenal: 4 Things We Learned From Southampton Draw

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 16, 2020. (Photo by Clive Rose / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CLIVE ROSE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

2 of 4

Arsenal’s English striker Bukayo Saka (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Bukayo Saka is All Arsenal Have

Scoring a goal – one from open play at that – was not the result of a vastly improved team performance full of vigour and invention. It was because of Saka.

One magnificent run from the touchline saw him beat three men and forge the opening for Eddie Nketiah and Aubameyang to link. One man’s intuition and drive.

Take that out of the game and what else was there to admire from Arsenal?

Individual moments of brilliance are all this side has to fall back on. What’s worse, the only one capable of producing such a moment is this 19-year-old forward-cum-wing-back asked to bear the burden that this team has placed on his shoulders.

It’s not his to bear, yet it’s only him carrying it. Arsenal would be nowhere without him.

As supporters lie in wait for a squad overhaul that’s been overdue by a number of years now, not one of those fans will put down any name other than Saka’s first.

Home/Arsenal News