Exclusive: Bukayo Saka hails 'one of my better goals', eyes 'challenges' ahead after Arsenal win

Bukayo Saka described his stunning 25-yard strike that earned Arsenal all three points against Nottingham Forest as “definitely one of my better goals” and backed himself to improve further as the season progresses.

The 21-year-old is already one of the best wingers in the world and delivered another reminder of his prodigious talent as Arsenal got their 2023-24 Premier League challenge off to a winning start.

Steve Cooper’s side's spirited resistance was broken in the 25th minute when Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring, before Saka grabbed the headlines with a screamer seven minutes later.

Cutting in from the right, Saka unleashed a left-footed rocket into the far corner that gave Matt Turner no chance in the Forest goal and that ultimately proved to be the decisive moment of the game, as Taiwo Awoniyi's late strike for the visitors proved only to be a consolation.

The England international spoke exclusively to TNT Sports afterwards about his match-winning contribution and fired an ominous warning to Arsenal’s rivals, admitting he is still far from the finished article.

“Yeah, definitely one of my better goals,” Saka said, standing on the area of the Emirates pitch from where he had earlier struck his stunner.

“It was one of those ones where when it leaves your foot you sort of have a good feeling.

“And when I look up and see where it landed, I was so happy.

“I always try and push myself to shoot more, a lot of times when I come here I like to do passes, I like to do crosses, but definitely when I’m in this area I know I can shoot from here, so today I went for it and it went well.”

As for where he can get better, he added: “I have a lot to improve. I think dealing with different games, like for example playing against two-v-one, how I’m going to manage myself.

“I think other games where I don’t have a lot of shots, like even today I don’t think I had a lot of shots, I want to leave the game with more shots because then I have more chance of scoring.

“Then of course my right foot, my heading, there’s a lot of things to improve.”

Arsenal looked odds-on to end their title drought last year before they dropped a raft of points late in the season that allowed Manchester City to swoop in and defend their Premier League crown.

However, after the signings of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, many have tipped Arsenal to challenge for top honours domestically and on their return to the Champions League.

Saka featured in 48 of 49 games for The Gunners last season and will once again be expected to perform if Arsenal want to compete for major trophies, but he insisted he is prepared to shoulder the extra pressure.

“I’m really looking forward to the season,” Saka said. “I think last year we showed everyone the level we can get to and now people expect that level and more, so we’re ready to give our best and it’s a great start.

“It’s definitely a new challenge but I like challenges and obviously everyone dreams of playing in the Champions League, it’s going to be my first time so I’m more excited than I am worried.”

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media