How The Media Reacted To Saka's Full Arsenal Debut: Real Talent, Full Of Confidence, Lovely Skill On The Ball

Arsenal defeated Azerbaijan side Qarabag 1-0 Thursday night to consolidate their place as the top side in Group E of the UEFA Europa League and the major talking point was the display of Bukayo Saka, the young English forward with Nigerian blood.

Saka played for 90 minutes and was constantly causing the opposing  defenders. This prompted rave reviews from the English press who followed the game.

ESPN handed Saka a 6 out of 10 and has this to say about the performance of the youngster.

"Looked full of confidence at the start when he tested the goalkeeper with a curling shot from the edge of the area, but drifted out of the game for large stretches after that. Should have scored late on but hit shot.  

Saka was one of the best players in action in the book of www.arsenalstation.com

"Saka  7.5/10 | Excellent full debut from the youngster. Very positive on the ball and unfortunate not to get a well-deserved goal when the keeper saved late on. Looks a real talent.

"Showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated. Always looked to take his man on and get into dangerous areas. Tested the keeper twice with shots from distance and had another deflected just wide before having a point blank range effort saved right at the death. Real talent. 8."

Pain in the Arsenal wrote effusively about the lad.

"MAN OF THE MATCH: Really exciting showing. Looked a little nervous early on but, as he settled into the game, began to grow in confidence and realised how he could hurt the opposition, he improved drastically.

"Wonderfully direct, great speed and surprising strength, lovely skill on the ball, and an awareness and intelligence to pick out a pass at the end of it all. They were only moments. They weren't consistent. And he did miss an absolute sitter in the dying minutes with a lack of composure. But Saka's glimpses really were exciting."

Arsenal now turns their attention to Sunday's Premier League game against Southampton seeking to extend their unbeaten record to 23 matches.