BREAKING NEWS: Coming live from Emirates, Ex-Arsenal legend has lavised praises on star player claiming he is key to Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League. He said so after the Gunners won 2-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday (August 24) to move to third in the standings. He said “protect him at all cost, It’s limitless what this guy can do. He’s the player that you need if Arsenal are to mount a title challenge, and if he stays fit, they have every chance to win the title. I wish I played with him in my era”. It’s limitless what this guy can do” – Ian Wright praises Arsenal star who remains critical in Gunners’ title hopes.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has expressed that midfielder Bukayo Saka is crucial to Arsenal’s ambitions of winning the Premier League this season. Wright’s comments came after the Gunners secured a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, August 24, moving them up to third place in the standings.

Arsenal continued their strong start to the season with their win at Villa Park, following a similar 2-0 victory at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening match. Despite a goalless first half against Villa, the Gunners broke through in the second half, with Leandro Trossard opening the scoring and Thomas Partey adding a second goal 13 minutes before the final whistle. Although Saka did not find the net himself, he played a pivotal role by providing the assist for Partey’s goal, which effectively secured all three points for Arsenal.

This victory marked a significant milestone for Arsenal, as it was only the third time in the club’s history—and the first in 53 years—that they won their opening two league games of the season without conceding a goal. The last time the Gunners achieved such a start was exactly 100 years ago, further highlighting the rarity and significance of this accomplishment.

Meanwhile, pundit Jamie Redknapp echoed Wright’s sentiments about Saka’s importance to Arsenal’s title aspirations. Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp emphasized that Saka’s talent and work ethic make him an indispensable player for Mikel Arteta’s side. He remarked, “It’s limitless what this guy can do. He’s got so much talent. He’s hardworking and is such a team player. He’s the player that you need if Arsenal are to mount a title challenge, and if he stays fit, they have every chance to win the title.”

Looking ahead, Arsenal will face Brighton & Hove Albion at home on August 31, as they aim to maintain their momentum and solidify their position as early title contenders.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also praised his team’s performance against Aston Villa, highlighting their courage and adaptability. The victory was particularly satisfying for Arteta’s side, as Villa had dealt a significant blow to their title hopes last season with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.

Reflecting on the match, Arteta commended his players for their resilience and ability to adjust to Villa’s defensive approach, which was more conservative than anticipated. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Arteta said, “Everybody played with a lot of personality. Aston Villa had a defensive approach, more than what we expected, but we adapted, and the team played with a lot of courage.”

Arteta also highlighted the importance of individual contributions in securing the win, noting that key players stepped up when needed. “Again, when you need individuals, they stood up and they made themselves count—that is why we won the game,” he added.

The Arsenal manager further praised goalkeeper David Raya, whose loan move was made permanent by the club this summer. Raya played a crucial role in keeping a clean sheet, making a significant save when called upon. Arteta remarked, “We conceded really little, and it is a big credit to the team, as it is a difficult place to come, but when we needed him he was there, and he made a terrific save.”

Arsenal’s strong start to the season has reignited hopes of ending a 21-year title drought. The Gunners have come close in recent years, finishing second to Manchester City in the last two seasons. With a blend of youthful talent like Saka and experienced players stepping up, Arteta’s side appears well-positioned to challenge for the Premier League title once again. As the season progresses, maintaining this early momentum and ensuring key players like Saka remain fit will be crucial to their chances of lifting the trophy at the end of the campaign.