At a Glance:
- Bukayo Saka could replicate Thierry Henry vs Atletico Madrid.
- Henry’s iconic goal against Real Madrid in 2006.
- Diego Simeone rates Saka highly.
Bukayo Saka will be itching to start against Atletico Madrid and send Arsenal to the Champions League final for the second time in their history.
The first and only time the Gunners reached the final of the competition was in 2006 when Thierry Henry’s immaculate solo goal against Real Madrid in the first leg settled the tie.
Saka was incredible against Fulham and Arsenal supporters will be hoping to see him emerge as his side’s difference-maker like Henry did two decades ago.
Much like the Frenchman, the 24-year-old is his manager’s ultimate match-winner and could decide Arsenal’s place in the Champions League final. The good news for the supporters is Saka thrives in big games.
Bukayo Saka could have his Thierry Henry moment for Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid
However, if Saka turns up against Atletico Madrid by producing a moment of magic in particular, his heroics could long live in the memories of Arsenal fans in the same vein as Thierry Henry’s legendary goal.
🗓 #OnThisDay in 2006…
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 21, 2021
👑 The King did 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 – and made us the first English side to beat Real Madrid in the Spanish capital 😍 pic.twitter.com/aAkloI4q0W
Getting over the line in Europe’s elite competition has been a puzzle the English giants have been unable to solve throughout their history.
To his credit, Saka’s made for the big moments and what could help the winger on Tuesday are his exploits against Real Madrid last season where he scored in both legs and tore left-back David Alaba to shreds.
While Alaba may have been past his world-class best by the time he played against the Englishman, he remained a seasoned campaigner at the elite level.
The same cannot be said for Matteo Ruggeri, who will face Saka and notably had problems dealing with an inferior player in Noni Madueke last week.
| Noni Madueke stats vs Atletico Madrid | Statistics |
| Dribbles completed | 3 |
| Chances created | 2 |
| Successful dribbles | 3/5 |
| Passes into the final third | 1 |
Considering Madueke has had his fair share of struggles in an Arsenal shirt and still caused Ruggeri issues at the back would excite a top-class wide player like the Hale End academy graduate.
Saka could be in esteemed company with Thierry Henry for being remembered for a performance in decades to come if he steps up to the plate against Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone has already delivered his Bukayo Saka verdict
Diego Simeone rates Saka highly, judging by how he praised Arsenal’s substitutes in Atletico Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Mikel Arteta’s side last Wednesday.
- READ MORE: Myles Lewis-Skelly starting for Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid would be Diego Simeone’s worst nightmare
“Did you see the five players [Saka, Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze, Christhian Mosquera and Gabriel Jesus] that were subbed on?
“Every time one of their players was subbed on, I said it, it’s true, they are very good. They have such a great squad and they’re competing at a very high level, otherwise, they wouldn’t have done it. They’ve only drawn one match [in the Champions League] and they’ve won the rest.
“So, I think they’re playing everything for this point in the Premier League too. The team is brilliant.”
Coming off the back of scoring a cracking goal and getting an even better assist for Viktor Gyokeres’ opener on the weekend, Saka could be a nightmare for Atletico Madrid to contend with.
