Kayo Punch!

Saka tees up Auba to deliver the knockout blow for Arteta’s men

- John Cross

ON a frantic and nervous night in Athens, it was a teenager who held his nerve to save Arsenal’s season.

Bukayo Saka, 19, stepped up to lay on two goals for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the second four minutes from time to clinch victory in the most dramatic fashion.

You could easily hail two goal Aubameyang as the Gunners’ hero, or even Kieran Tierney, who kickstarted a gutsy second-half fightback as they clawed themselves back from the brink of disaster.

But this was all about Saka, because while older, more seasoned pros lost their heads, it was a homegrown teenager who saved them.

Each and every week he is producing magnificent match-winning performances and is now arguably the best young player in England. It was in the Europa League a couple of seasons ago that he made his breakthrough and he just keeps on improving.

He more than deserves to be playing on the European stage. His decision-making and intelligence makes him mature beyond his years.