Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

3 underrated players in derby day win against Tottenham

By Krish Ajmani

Arsenal players celebrate after Arsenal's Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey scored his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 1, 2022. - - 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 Adrian DENNIS / 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. / 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 ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal players celebrate after Arsenal's Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey scored his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 1, 2022. - - 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 Adrian DENNIS / 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. / 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 ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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1. Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka posed an ominous threat on Saturday. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka posed an ominous threat on Saturday. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Such has been Arsenal’s success this season that some bored and inane fans have criticised Saka. Beyond the surface level of stats (at which Saka has still performed incredibly), his impact on games has been undeniable. Tottenham proved to be more of the same.

The danger he poses is one opposition players are keenly aware of, doubling up on him. Fortunately for Arsenal, Saka possesses the skill and intelligence to break through this strategy and contribute. Recognising that two players were coming to cut him off and that space would be left somewhere else, he moved the ball quickly infield, eventually leading to Thomas Partey’s opener.

He used White’s overlaps well, cutting inside and shooting, which led to Gabriel Jesus’s scrappy finish. The winger’s play also helps Arsenal get up the pitch. His first touch and dribbling are still world-class and his physical strength continues to improve. Saka was such a reliable outlet on Saturday, no matter how many white shirts surrounded him at the Emirates.

Fans would do well to appreciate their starboy and his brilliant performances. Long may they continue.

Arsenal have performed exceptionally well this season, most noticeably as a collective force. Yet the showings of the players outside of the limelight deserve praise.

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