Bukayo Saka compared to Lionel Messi as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives highest praise to Gunners star after Wolves victory on Premier League opening day

After missing out on the Premier League title by a whisker in the last seasons, Arsenal began their journey in the 2024-25 campaign with a comfortable win over Wolves on Saturday. Saka starred for the Gunners as after setting up a perfect cross for Kai Havertz's opening goal, the England international fired one himself to seal three points for his side.

Gunners boss Arteta was left in awe of Saka as he compared the youngster's ability to dribble with that of Barcelona and Argentina legend Messi. He also confessed that he considered dropping Saka from the starting lineup due to his short pre-season.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Arteta said, "With good players, it's like that, with Messi I know he's gonna come here and put the ball there. But he does it all the time. You can't stop him. That's the quality of the player."

He added, "You have to really understand where they are, what they need, to give them some space and let them breathe. They went through a lot and those kids have played a lot of football in the last two years.

"But when you see that willingness, that energy to say 'I'm really, really happy to be back' and you see that’s genuine, it's a good sign. I'm not surprised. That's their mentality. Straight after the [final], they said 'I'm going to be ready for the first game'".

The North London club will be back in action on August 24 as they take on Unai Emery's Aston Villa in their first away match of the new season.