Izuchukwu Okosi
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England international of Nigerian descent Bukayo Saka was imperious on Sunday evening as Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester United into the Premier League top four with a 3-2 win at struggling Watford.
Watford had the ball in the net a few seconds after kick-off but Nigeria striker Emmanuel Dennis’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Midfielder Martin Odegaard struck early for the visitors before Cucho Hernandez equalised with a stunning overhead kick minutes later but Saka restored Arsenal’s lead in an entertaining first half.
Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli made it 3-1 early in the second half and the Gunners held out for a crucial win despite a late goal from Moussa Sissoko.
The victory lifted Mikel Arteta’s men into fourth place in the Premier League – one point ahead of United, who were beaten in the later kick-off by leaders Manchester City.
Arteta, whose team started the season with three straight league defeats, said it was “very pleasing” to be in the top four, although he felt the win should have been more comfortable.
“We know how difficult it is to be in this position in this league,” he told Sky Sports. “We’ve earned it – we have come a long way as a team.”
Arteta was asked about the role he played in the build-up to Arsenal’s third goal – he grabbed the ball when it went out of play and quickly passed it to Saka, who launched the ultimately decisive move with a throw-in.
Meanwhile Arsenal jokingly awarded their manager an assist on their Twitter feed for his role in the goal scored by Saka.
“I saw an advantage and I took it,” said Arteta. “We have to be alive and that is the way I live the game. I try to instil that in the team as well.”
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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