Bukayo Saka’s shot nearly hits a man watching the Europa League game from an apartment at Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.
The 21 year old Gunners player produced a rather rare miss, attempting a shot at goal but instead gave a fan watching on a big scare, as the ball came towards him at speed, only to somehow hit all edges of the window he was looking out of before bouncing back out.
The fan could be seen just sitting there, flinching before he turned round to the pitch in complete disbelief at what just happened.
Peak Europa League this 😍#UEL pic.twitter.com/ancSfw8vyA
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 14, 2022
Arsenal ended up winning the game 1-0, Bukayo Saka combining with impressive midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and his toe-poked effort hit one of the opposition players before ricocheting back off his chin and past the helpless goalkeeper.
Playing on an artificial surface in the cold environment of a fishing city just north of the Arctic Circle, Mikel Arteta’s side, some wearing gloves to keep warm, struggled to produce chances in front of a bumper crowd.
“I think it came off my lips!” said Saka to BT Sport on the goal after the game.
Analysis from journalist Sam Blitz: “Three points, a spot in the Europa League knockout stages drawing closer, no injuries and 11 wins from 12 this season, Mikel Arteta has reason to be content after this latest win.”
Speaking after the game, the manager said: ‘He had moments in the game where he was really good and then moments he can improve and demand more of himself, especially defensively.
‘There were moments where we allowed their left full-back to progress the play and break our press too easily. There a lot of things to improve.
‘I’m really happy with the win against a team that has won the last 14 games here at home. It’s not a coincidence.’
The win, Arsenal’s 11th in 12 games across all competitions this season, puts them on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Player ratings
Arsenal: Turner (7); White (6), Saliba (6), Holding (7), Tierney (7); Lokonga (6), Odegaard (7), Vieira (6); Saka (7), Nketiah (6), Nelson (6)
Subs: Xhaka (7), Martinelli (6), Marquinhos (6), Tomiyasu (7), Partey (n/a)
Man of the match: Matt Turner
Former West Ham and Chelsea midfielder Cole told BT Sport on Saka: ‘You have to understand how young he is, where he is in his career. Arsenal have got such a gem here.
‘He’s already so experienced. He’s one of the leaders on the team on the pitch. He takes responsibility.
‘He’s a fantastic player and he’s one that Arsenal have got to tie down and build this new regime this new great side that seems to be emerging (around him).
‘The beauty with him is you can use him there on the left of a front three, you can use him as a No 10, a left wing back, on the right wing, but he’s just a fantastic footballer and he’s getting his education through Arteta and fantastic players.
‘Young players around him have all got his energy and they’ve kept it going tonight. It’s important momentum at this stage of the season.’
Saka continues his strong start to the 2022/23 season, stepping up for Arsenal and England, and netted the winning penalty to help Arsenal claim all three points against Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend.
What made the step kick better was Peter Drury’s commentary, giving viewers goosebumps. He struck twice, benefitting from a defensive play from Trent Alexander-Arnold to put Arsenal in front and from his spot kick, albeit a controversial decision to award after Thiago Alcantara made contact with Gabriel Jesus.
“This is one pressure penalty,” Drury said.
“He has experienced pressure like this before like few others but he has suffered for that pressure.
“But now the Emirates braces itself for perhaps a pivotal kick of the football.”
Peter Drury 🥹 pic.twitter.com/XbxjSEDfqG
— Back Again W/Troopz Podcast (@backagain) October 10, 2022
This is what fans said after Bukayo Saka’s shot nearly hits a man watching the game from an apartment at Bodo/Glimt…
@m5_afc: europa league for u 😭😭
@luckylanomusic: Lol looks like the Norwegian Troopz: Trøøpz
@Perkinz9: Fuck off 😂😂😂
@dopegooner: Europa giving a whole new meaning to experiencing a match inside your own home.
@ifiokistired: Doesn’t get more Europa League than this 😭
@g00nerball: He’s just chilling in his home eating dinner and Bukayo Saka blasts a ball into his shit, Europa League is the funniest shit man
@ConnorWontStop: Fella’s just eating dinner and saka’s blasted one into his living room I love europa 🤣🤣🤣
@Charlie_S_Lane: Peak Europa league
@KOCricket528: On today’s episode of Things you would only see in the Europa League 😅
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