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Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images
Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images

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‘Best player on the pitch’: Some Arsenal fans laud star’s display vs Liverpool

Jordan Harris
Jordan Harris

A number of Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to comment on the performance of Bukayo Saka after the first-leg of the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final tie with Liverpool on Thursday.

Mikel Arteta’s men have given themselves a real opportunity heading into the second-leg at the Emirates. They, of course, lost Granit Xhaka to a first-half red card following a challenge on Diogo Jota.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

From there, Arsenal’s plan was to soak up pressure. The Gunners are already without several players. And their midfield is now even worse off heading into Sunday’s North London Derby.

Understandably, it was a difficult night for any Arsenal player to really shine, but the squad deserve enormous credit for frustrating the home side so much at Anfield.

Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

And perhaps no player came closer to handing Arsenal an even more remarkable result than Saka. The 20-year-old was outstanding down Arsenal’s right flank.

He had a lot of joy up against Andy Robertson. Robertson was booked in the second-half for dragging the reported Reds target back.

Saka was often the one driving Arsenal forward. And he showed the kind of composure the Gunners desperately needed. Some of his work provided his teammates with a much-needed breather.

The performance may not have done Arsenal too many favours in the long run. The members of the Liverpool hierarchy who were already admirers of the England international will have likely been hugely impressed.

But Arsenal will be delighted with the maturity the academy graduate showed.

Xhaka’s dismissal seemed to galvanise the Gunners. They stepped up where previous Arsenal sides would have folded.

‘What a player’: Arsenal fans laud Bukayo Saka after Liverpool tie

And Saka’s ability to cause problems going forward just left Liverpool with enough doubt to not be able to throw the kitchen sink at getting the win.

With that in mind, here is what some of the Arsenal fans made of Saka’s performance in the first-leg…