20 February 2023 , 06:31
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Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka is enjoying yet another stellar individual campaign as the Gunners regained their place at the top of the Premier League following Saturday afternoon's impressive victory away at Aston Villa.
It was a contest that saw Mikel Arteta's men fall behind twice, though Villa's first goal was swiftly cancelled out by a stunning strike from Saka. The England international responded quickest to a loose ball in the penalty area after a poor clearance from Tyrone Mings and lashed home on the volley in emphatic fashion.
The goal sent the Villa Park away end into pandemonium, but it was Saka's rather cool and measured celebration that left plenty of people talking. Arsenal's number seven casually jogged over to the area of the ground with the Gunners faithful in, before casually clutching the corner flag, appearing to almost rest on it or use it to catch his breath.
Instead, the real reason behind the celebration has since emerged and Saka has confirmed it was a gesture for one of the Arsenal greats. He posted picture of his celebration alongside another photo of Thierry Henry doing the same celebration for France with the caption: "Honouring the King *crown emoji*."
Thankfully for Saka, this is an afternoon he can look back upon fondly but things could have been very different for both Arsenal as a collective and the winger individually.
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Saka was the victim of some rather physical treatment from the Villa players and it clearly got under the wide-forward's skin eventually. The Arsenal star was on the receiving end of some over-zealous tackling by both Alex Moreno and Douglas Luiz.
Bukayo Saka's celebration was a tribute to Thierry HenryHAVE YOUR SAY! Should referees try to protect Saka from the kind of tackles he faced against Villa? Comment below
After the game, Arteta eased any fears that Saka could be sidelined for a spell despite being seen limping throughout the contest.
"He’s fine, he got kicked quite a lot today again, but he’s going to have to deal with that, not every week, but every three days and sometimes in training as well because it’s his game and teams are not stupid and they want to stop him," the Arsenal boss explained.
It is not the first time Arteta has openly discussed the way opposition sides deal with Saka's threat this season.
"The referees have the duties to deal with that," the Spaniard claimed back in November.
"The better the players become, the bigger target they become, because people try to find ways to stop him.
"That is why football has very clear rules, what you can do and what you cannot do, and that is the referee’s job."