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Arteta applauds 'special, amazing' Saka after brace
The Straits Times
|December 13, 2024
LONDON - Mikel Arteta praised Bukayo Saka's "incredible talent" after the Arsenal forward's double inspired a 3-0 win over Monaco on Dec 11 that moved his side closer to the Champions League last 16.
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The 23-year-old struck late in each half at the Emirates Stadium, before Kai Havertz wrapped up the Gunners' fourth win in six games in the revamped league phase of Europe's elite club competition.
Arsenal sit third in the table behind Liverpool and Barcelona with two games remaining, as they chase automatic qualification for the last 16 via a top-eight finish.
With matches at home to Dinamo Zagreb and at Girona to come in January, that should be a simple task.
But if Arteta's team are to go all the way and win the Champions League for the first time, they will need England star Saka to maintain his superb form.
He has five goals in his last six games in all competitions and nine for the season, as well as a hatful of assists.
This story is from the December 13, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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