LONDON: Bukayo Saka believes Arsenal’s strength in depth can be the difference for the Gunners this season as they look to end a wait since 2003/04 to win the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s men are four points clear at the top of the table from Bournemouth, with their realistic title challengers Manchester City and Liverpool six and seven points adrift respectively.
Arsenal have finished second for each of the past three seasons when injury problems at times derailed their title challenge.
However, Arteta now has a far deeper pool of resources to call on after a £250 million ($333 million) spend on eight sigings during the transfer window.
Saka is among the Arsenal stars, also including Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and William Saliba, to have already been sidelined by injury at times this season.
But Arteta’s side have relied on their strength from set pieces and an excellent defensive record to win seven consecutive games in all competitions.
“This year I feel we’re a very strong group and we’ve got a lot of quality. We’ve suffered already a lot of injuries, but the players that have come in have shown that we can all keep the level at the highest,” Saka told Sky Sports.
“I think that’s where we’ve slipped off in a few seasons, but this season, we’ve got that and it’s making me really believe we can do it.”
Next year could be a memorable one for Saka as he also aims to end England’s long wait since 1966 to win a major tournament at the World Cup.
“That’s my prayer. Of course it is doable,” he added on the prospect of a Premier League and World Cup double in 2026.
“You can’t really do anything if you don’t believe in it. I believe it is possible. It won’t be easy, definitely won’t be easy, but yeah it is possible.”
Saka was part of the England sides that lost two European Championship finals under Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions are the only European side to qualify so far for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico after a flawless start to their qualifying campaign since Thomas Tuchel took charge.
Saka has been impressed by Tuchel and hopes his experience at the highest level of the club game with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich can be key to England’s chances.
“I think he is a top coach, tactical understanding and with people as well he is very demanding, he knows how to get the best out of the players I would say,” said the 24-year-old.
“He has shown in the past he can win at the highest level and won the biggest of trophies. He has competed in many finals as well, so he has definitely got the experience and hopefully he can guide us to victory.”
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Arsenal depth fuels Saka’s belief in Premier League title charge
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Arsenal depth fuels Saka’s belief in Premier League title charge
- Saka is among the Arsenal stars, also including Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and William Saliba, to have already been sidelined by injury at times this season
- “This year I feel we’re a very strong group and we’ve got a lot of quality,” Saka told Sky Sports
Seahawks soar to Super Bowl win over Patriots
- The Seattle Seahawks coasted to Super Bowl glory Sunday, routing the New England Patriots 29-13 as Sam Darnold sealed his journey from flop quarterback to conqueror of the NFL’s biggest prize
SANTA CLARA: The Seattle Seahawks coasted to Super Bowl glory Sunday, routing the New England Patriots 29-13 as Sam Darnold sealed his journey from flop quarterback to conqueror of the NFL’s biggest prize.
Brushing off a reputation for wilting in big games, journeyman quarterback Darnold threw for a touchdown and some 200 yards on the grandest stage of all to give the Seahawks their second-ever Lombardi Trophy.
“It’s unbelievable. Everything that has happened in my career, but to do it with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Darnold.
The victory was buoyed by a dominant defensive display, and kicker Jason Myers’ five field goals — the most ever by one player in a Super Bowl.
But it was a night to forget for Darnold’s counterpart Drake Maye, who was sacked six times and threw two interceptions, failing in his bid to become the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl at 23.
Bad Bunny performed the half-time show, singing entirely in Spanish in a Super Bowl first.
One of the world’s biggest artists, Bad Bunny has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump’s brutal and divisive immigration crackdown.
His vibrant show, featuring cameos from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, largely avoided politics.
That did not stop Trump — who did not attend — taking to social media to dub it an “affront” to the United States, claiming that no one could understand the performance.
’Evil Empire’
An initially cagey game featured no touchdowns for either side in the first three quarters, with the Patriots stifled and the Seahawks largely playing it safe, relying on Kenneth Walker.
The running back managed 135 rushing yards across the night, and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
“We went through a lot of adversity this year, but we came together and stuck together and this is what we got,” said Walker, after the game.
Super Bowl LX sprang to life in the final quarter, with four touchdowns.
Darnold led things off with his endzone pass to A.J. Barner, before the hitherto scoreless Patriots hit back with Maye finding Mack Hollins for a touchdown.
Seattle compounded the misery with yet another Maye sack resulting in a turnover and a career-first touchdown for linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, before the Patriots managed another consolation visit to the end zone.
It all meant Seattle avenged its loss to the Patriots in the Seahawks’ previous Super Bowl appearance, back in 2015.
For the Patriots, a franchise once so dominant they were dubbed the “Evil Empire,” it was a disappointing night to end a season in which they had been reborn under coach of the year Mike Vrabel.
The storied franchise could not secure a record seventh Super Bowl, and their first since the departure of Tom Brady.
Porous Patriots
More than 120 million Americans were expected to watch the biggest event in US sports, which took place at the 75,000-capacity Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Seahawks boasted a vocal majority of fans from the kickoff, and their early nerves were settled with a field goal from the game’s very first drive.
New England’s porous offensive line was continually overwhelmed, the team pinned deep in its own territory, as Seattle added two more field goals for a 9-0 lead at the break.
Bad Bunny’s half-time performance came as a welcome respite for New England, with Internet memes quickly joking that the superstar had “gained more yards than the Patriots” as he strutted through his colorful set.
The Seahawks picked up where they left off, with Walker’s legs powering Seattle up the field for Myers to extend the lead.
Seattle finally managed the game’s first touchdown. Darnold’s 16-yard pass found tight end Barner in the deep right corner of the endzone.
With the night threatening to turn into farce, a topless streaker evaded security efforts.
This time the break in play briefly sparked New England to life. Maye found Hollins with a stunning 35-yard sling for a touchdown and the Patriots’ first points, narrowing the game to 19-7.
But it proved in vain, as Nwosu sealed the win before Rhamondre Stevenson ran in a late consolation touchdown.
It was sweet vindication for the humble Darnold, once a highly drafted youth who played for four NFL franchises before his stunning debut season in Seattle ended in the ultimate victory.
“So proud of my guys. I can’t say enough great things about our defense and special teams,” said Darnold.
“I know we won the Super Bowl. We could have been a little bit better on offense but I don’t care about that right now. An unbelievable feeling.”
Brushing off a reputation for wilting in big games, journeyman quarterback Darnold threw for a touchdown and some 200 yards on the grandest stage of all to give the Seahawks their second-ever Lombardi Trophy.
“It’s unbelievable. Everything that has happened in my career, but to do it with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Darnold.
The victory was buoyed by a dominant defensive display, and kicker Jason Myers’ five field goals — the most ever by one player in a Super Bowl.
But it was a night to forget for Darnold’s counterpart Drake Maye, who was sacked six times and threw two interceptions, failing in his bid to become the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl at 23.
Bad Bunny performed the half-time show, singing entirely in Spanish in a Super Bowl first.
One of the world’s biggest artists, Bad Bunny has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump’s brutal and divisive immigration crackdown.
His vibrant show, featuring cameos from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, largely avoided politics.
That did not stop Trump — who did not attend — taking to social media to dub it an “affront” to the United States, claiming that no one could understand the performance.
’Evil Empire’
An initially cagey game featured no touchdowns for either side in the first three quarters, with the Patriots stifled and the Seahawks largely playing it safe, relying on Kenneth Walker.
The running back managed 135 rushing yards across the night, and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
“We went through a lot of adversity this year, but we came together and stuck together and this is what we got,” said Walker, after the game.
Super Bowl LX sprang to life in the final quarter, with four touchdowns.
Darnold led things off with his endzone pass to A.J. Barner, before the hitherto scoreless Patriots hit back with Maye finding Mack Hollins for a touchdown.
Seattle compounded the misery with yet another Maye sack resulting in a turnover and a career-first touchdown for linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, before the Patriots managed another consolation visit to the end zone.
It all meant Seattle avenged its loss to the Patriots in the Seahawks’ previous Super Bowl appearance, back in 2015.
For the Patriots, a franchise once so dominant they were dubbed the “Evil Empire,” it was a disappointing night to end a season in which they had been reborn under coach of the year Mike Vrabel.
The storied franchise could not secure a record seventh Super Bowl, and their first since the departure of Tom Brady.
Porous Patriots
More than 120 million Americans were expected to watch the biggest event in US sports, which took place at the 75,000-capacity Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Seahawks boasted a vocal majority of fans from the kickoff, and their early nerves were settled with a field goal from the game’s very first drive.
New England’s porous offensive line was continually overwhelmed, the team pinned deep in its own territory, as Seattle added two more field goals for a 9-0 lead at the break.
Bad Bunny’s half-time performance came as a welcome respite for New England, with Internet memes quickly joking that the superstar had “gained more yards than the Patriots” as he strutted through his colorful set.
The Seahawks picked up where they left off, with Walker’s legs powering Seattle up the field for Myers to extend the lead.
Seattle finally managed the game’s first touchdown. Darnold’s 16-yard pass found tight end Barner in the deep right corner of the endzone.
With the night threatening to turn into farce, a topless streaker evaded security efforts.
This time the break in play briefly sparked New England to life. Maye found Hollins with a stunning 35-yard sling for a touchdown and the Patriots’ first points, narrowing the game to 19-7.
But it proved in vain, as Nwosu sealed the win before Rhamondre Stevenson ran in a late consolation touchdown.
It was sweet vindication for the humble Darnold, once a highly drafted youth who played for four NFL franchises before his stunning debut season in Seattle ended in the ultimate victory.
“So proud of my guys. I can’t say enough great things about our defense and special teams,” said Darnold.
“I know we won the Super Bowl. We could have been a little bit better on offense but I don’t care about that right now. An unbelievable feeling.”
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