Bukayo Saka has admitted Arsenal wanted to send a message to their Premier League title contenders as they thrashed West Ham United 6-0 at the weekend.
Having just beaten Liverpool 3-1 to keep their title hopes alive, the Gunners delivered an absolute masterclass as they mauled West Ham away from home to keep within two points of Jurgen Klopp’s side at the top of the table.
Arsenal’s title challenge last season ended with a draw away to West Ham, in which Saka actually missed a crucial penalty, and the winger was keen to ensure there would be no repeat this time around.
“We knew this was a big game and it was really important for us to win and make a statement,” he reflected.
“We did really well scoring six and keeping a clean sheet. Of course, I have my own targets [for how many goals I want to score]. I know these days the media like to compare players.
“I just stay in my own lane and stay focused on what I want to achieve, and what I wanted to achieve at the start of the season. I’m still going and I have got quite a few more to go.”
It seemed almost poetic that Saka was given the chance to right last season’s wrongs when he stepped up to score the penalty that put Arsenal 2-0 ahead on Sunday and really saw the Gunners take control of proceedings.
“If you’re going to be a penalty taker, I don’t know any penalty taker that scores every single penalty,” Saka continued. “I’m not happy to miss but I understand it’s part of the game, so when I won the penalty I was ready to take it again and score.
“I’ve had many lessons in my career and the best choice is to learn and take the learning process, which makes you stronger.”
Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Premier League strugglers Burnley on Saturday before the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie away at Porto on the following Wednesday.
