Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka revealed he delivered a powerful message to his teammates ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, urging them to make a statement on the European stage.
“When I was speaking with the boys in the team talk before the game, I told them: we have to make a big statement tonight,” Saka said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
Saka recognized that Arsenal hadn’t yet shown their full potential in the Champions League, particularly against top-tier opponents. “We haven’t shown our full quality in Europe against big opponents, tonight yes… but we need to do that also away now,” he added.
Saka’s words ignited the Gunners’ fire, as they went on to secure a convincing 2-0 victory over PSG, showcasing their true capabilities on the continental stage. The win was particularly significant in the new Champions League format, which features a single league phase where all 36 teams are ranked together. The top eight teams automatically qualify for the round of 16, making every victory crucial.
Saka’s leadership and passionate pre-match address played a crucial role in inspiring his teammates to deliver a performance that solidified Arsenal’s status as a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League. With the momentum on their side, the Gunners will now look to replicate their performance in upcoming away fixtures.