Overview
- Bukayo Saka started as a right‑sided No8 after Riccardo Calafiori was injured in the warm‑up and was substituted at half‑time.
- Arsenal led 4-0 inside the opening half hour, with Saka part of a fluid attack that frequently interchanged with Noni Madueke.
- Mikel Arteta said the role was something he wanted to try and might use again, noting Saka’s central positioning brings him closer to goal and harder to track.
- Martin Keown praised Saka’s performance in the Odegaard-style role on TNT Sports, and Owen Hargreaves highlighted the right‑flank rotation with Madueke.
- SofaScore data reported via Arsenal Insider credited Saka with 36 touches, 25 of 26 passes completed, one chance created, two shots, six duels won and five recoveries in 45 minutes.