MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 06:53:58| >> :120:45145:45145:
[monks data]
Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 16
Dec 29, 2020 at 6pm UK
Falmer Stadium
Arsenal logo

Brighton
0 - 1
Arsenal


Dunk (59'), Jahanbakhsh (65')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Lacazette (66')

Mikel Arteta keen to take the pressure off Bukayo Saka

Mikel Arteta keen to take the pressure off Bukayo Saka
© Reuters
The 19-year-old has emerged as one of England's finest young talents.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants to prevent teenage star Bukayo Saka becoming burdened by expectation following another standout display.

Saka backed up his goal in the 3-1 Boxing Day success over Chelsea by creating Alexandre Lacazette's second-half winner in Tuesday's 1-0 Premier League victory at struggling Brighton.

The 19-year-old has emerged as one of England's finest young talents and has already been capped four times at senior international level.

While Arteta has been impressed by Saka's rapid development, he is eager to avoid piling unnecessary pressure on the youngster.

"I would like everybody to be cautious, let him be and let him develop," said the Spaniard.

"I think he's having the right progression. I think he has the right people around him in his house, in his entourage.

"And he's got the right team-mates as well to support him all the time, giving him confidence and keeping his feet on the floor.

"Then hopefully we can be the right coaches around him and the right club to see the player that he can be in the future."

Following a dismal first-half showing at the Amex Stadium, Arsenal were in desperate need of a spark.

Saka provided it by spinning away from Dan Burn inside his own half, racing down the right flank and centring for substitute Lacazette to find the bottom corner just 21 seconds after coming on to the pitch.

The academy product limped off nine minutes from time but his manager does not believe the problem to be serious.

"I think he took a strong challenge, but hopefully he will be fine," said Arteta.

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a January move for Real Madrid playmaker Isco.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Spain international Isco
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Spain international Isco (Adam Davy/PA)

Arteta said successive wins would not alter his transfer plans and remained tight-lipped on potential targets.

"The last few results won't change our approach to the window and obviously we cannot talk about an individual player," he said when asked about Isco.

Brighton remain in trouble after registering just one home league win in 2020.

Having defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Amex Stadium in June, the Seagulls were unable to repeat the trick due to a lack of killer instinct and have now tasted victory just once in 14 top-flight games.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who was selected to lead the line as part of six changes made by boss Graham Potter, insists Albion can rectify their alarming slump.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh believes Brighton have the quality to move away from relegation danger
Alireza Jahanbakhsh believes Brighton have the quality to move away from relegation danger (Gareth Fuller/PA)

"We work our socks off, you can see that our performances are really good," the Iran international told Brighton's website.

"If you watch all of our games, we create four or five very good chances every game but we need to turn them into goals – that's what we need to work on.

"This moment isn't going to last forever though, there will be a time when those chances go in and then you will see how much quality we have got.

"We know with what we have in terms of our ability, we can turn this around.

"The picture can change quickly and if you put a couple of wins together you can climb the table very quickly."

ID:428477: cacheID:428477:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8792:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on December 29, 2020
Read Next:
PL roundup: Man United rise to second as Arsenal win again
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!