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Bukayo Saka feels Arsenal can 'achieve anything' as he sets sights on silverware

Bukayo Saka feels Arsenal can 'achieve anything' as he sets sights on silverware
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Arsenal had been bottom of the table ahead of September's international break, while Spurs were sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka insists Arsenal’s north London derby victory over Tottenham proves they have what it takes to win silverware this season.

In Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, the Gunners had two academy graduates who both scored and assisted in the 3-1 win – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also on target before Son Heung-min struck a consolation for the visitors.

Arsenal had been bottom of the table ahead of September’s international break, while Spurs were sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League.

Sunday’s win, however, highlighted the change in fortune for the near-neighbours as Arsenal moved above their rivals.

While manager Mikel Arteta has faced criticism following three defeats at the start of the campaign, Saka feels their performance against Spurs shows Arsenal can have a successful season.

“We can achieve anything, no matter what age,” he said of a starting line-up with an average age of just over 24.

“With age comes experience but we have a lot of experience in this squad anyway which helps us every day and teaches us.

“I believe we have a lot of quality and enough experience to achieve a lot. We’re going to take it game by game but if we play like this we have enough quality to win trophies.”

Saka revealed he and Smith Rowe had spoken about their excitement of playing a north London derby in front of a full Emirates Stadium crowd.

“Made in Hale End,” he said.

“I’m just so happy for him. We spoke yesterday about what it would mean to score in a north London derby because we both grew up supporting Arsenal.

“We both grew up watching these games as an academy player and wanting to be involved in them. Now to be involved and score, it’s a special feeling.

“At breakfast we spoke about this, about how massive it would feel to score in a north London derby.

“When Emile scored the first goal, I looked him at him and we remembered the conversation. When I scored, he looked at me so it’s a very, very special feeling for both of us. I’m so happy we could do it together.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emile Smith Rowe were also on target
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emile Smith Rowe were also on target (Nick Potts/PA)

“It’s very nice to share the memories with him. Even if he scored and I didn’t, I’d still be very happy for him but the most important thing is we won and got the three points and everyone can go home happy.”

After a fine start to life as Tottenham head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo will already be feeling some pressure after Spurs conceded three goals in three successive league matches for the first time in 18 years.

Defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea preceded their derby day disappointment but captain Hugo Lloris believes Tottenham are better than recent showings – while their impressive start to the season may also have been a false dawn.

“Even after three wins there was a lot of things to correct and improve,” he said when asked where Spurs are at.

“The truth is probably in between. But after six games, nine points is not enough. That’s clear.

Tottenham were well beaten at the Emirates
Tottenham were well beaten at the Emirates (Nick Potts/PA)

“In terms of performance, we need to step up as a team and we need to increase our performances. Again, it’s individual and obviously collective.

“It’s always painful to lose a derby, it doesn’t matter the way.

“They made a lot of damage by their transitions, they created a lot of chances. The manager changed a few things at half-time, he brought on two more players and I think the dynamic of the game changed a little bit.

“We were much better, much stronger, much more stable in the middle of the pitch and we took control of the game. But at 3-0, the way is too far to come back, even in the Premier League where everything is possible.”

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1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
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10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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