Saka must reward teammates for scoring in Champions League

Striker Gabriel Martinelli half-joked that Bukayo Saka had to buy dinner after his assist helped the England midfielder score in the 2-0 win over Sevilla in the Champions League.

"I told Saka he would have to pay for my dinner," Martinelli said, smiling after the win at the Emirates. "I'm very happy with the win and Saka's goal. It's great to play at home with these passionate fans and we will do our best to win for them."

Saka was voted the best player of the match by UEFA when he contributed to both goals of Arsenal. In the 29th minute, from a pass from Jorginho, the English midfielder stretched one touch for Leandro Trossard to open the scoring with his right foot. In the second half, receiving a pass from Martinelli, Saka accelerated into the penalty area, turned the ball past Pedrosa and then placed his favorite left foot into the far corner, sealing the score at 2-0.

Saka scored to make it 2-0 as Arsenal defeated Sevilla in the fourth round of the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium on November 8. Photo: Guardian

Saka became the first Arsenal player to both score and assist in consecutive Champions League home games since Cesc Fabregas against Sevilla and Slavia Prague in 2007-08. The Englishman had previously scored and assisted Trossard in the opening 4-0 win over PSV.

Martinelli also had a great day, constantly stirring up Sevilla's left wing. The Brazilian striker touched the ball 70 times, passed 85% accurately with two key passes, successfully dribbled nine times - the highest number of the match, crossed 12 times, before giving way to Reiss Nelson in the 81st minute.

"Every time I receive the ball, I always try to dribble one-on-one with the defender," Martinelli said. "That's what I like to do and the team knows that. When you get one, two or three successful dribbles, you gain confidence and that's what happened today."

Martinelli dribbles past a Sevilla defender during Arsenal's 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on November 8. Photo: Guardian

Meanwhile, Declan Rice believes Arsenal played well, winning three important points to move closer to the Champions League knockout stage. The English midfielder also liked Mikel Arteta's criticism of the referee after the defeat to Newcastle, saying it spoke volumes about the Spanish coach's passion and character.

"After being knocked out of the League Cup and losing to Newcastle, for a club like Arsenal we can't lose three games in a row," Rice stressed. "Arteta made that clear before the game and asked us to show a performance full of energy to get back to winning ways."

When asked whether he prefers to play as a No. 6 or No. 8, Rice replied: "I think my best position is No. 6, the deepest midfield position. My strengths are receiving the ball from deep, passing and breaking lines. The No. 8 position requires me to dribble, get into the box and be more creative, which is not my forte. But I am also willing to play this position to develop my skillset further."

Hong Duy

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