Interview

‘It hurts a lot tonight’

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka cast a downbeat figure at full-time at St James Park on Monday night, saying he ‘couldn’t believe’ how the team performed.

With the prize of Champions League qualification just two wins away, the Gunners knew there was no room for error against Newcastle, but the side never got going in a lacklustre display in our final away game of the season.

After the final whistle, Saka fronted up to the media, but his disappointment was palpable.

“Overall there is huge disappointment and frustration,” he said. “I just can’t believe how we performed today.

“We lost all our duels. We lost all the second balls. We didn’t play out well. Just overall disappointment in every aspect.”

We are now two points behind Tottenham, who travel to Norwich on the final day, but with our goal difference vastly inferior – we need to take maximum points against Everton while hoping Norwich do the same.

“I think it’s going to hurt a lot of us tonight,” Saka continued.

“You know, all of us, the fans - all of our families. But come Sunday against Everton at the Emirates we’re going to be there to win, and hopefully things go our way. That’s all you can do from now.

“Technically it’s not over, we can still do it, but we’ve missed out on two big opportunities to put ourself in a good position. So it’s just a shame.”