Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed a mix of frustration and admiration for Bukayo Saka following the team’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, which secured a 5-1 aggregate win and a place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Saka, who has Nigerian heritage, missed an early penalty in the first half, attempting a Panenka that was saved by Thibaut Courtois. Despite the miss, Saka redeemed himself by scoring the opening goal in the 65th minute, helping to solidify Arsenal’s lead.
Arteta, speaking after the match, admitted his initial reaction to the missed penalty was one of frustration.
“I might have felt like slapping him,” he said, acknowledging the emotional impact such moments can have on a player.
However, he praised Saka’s resilience and composure, noting, “The way he handled the situation, the way he played afterwards, and the personality that he showed at his age… it’s incredible.”
The match also saw a brief confrontation between Saka and Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal at halftime, following the missed penalty.
Nonetheless, Saka’s performance in the second half demonstrated his ability to recover and contribute significantly to the team’s success.
With this victory, Arsenal advances to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 2008-09 season. They are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the next round, following PSG’s aggregate win over Aston Villa.
