Bukayo Saka kicked off 2022 with a boom, as the Arsenal superstar scored the first goal against Manchester City with a wonderful team goal.
Saka scored in Arsenal's final 2 matches of 2021, versus Norwich City and Newcastle United, and he carried that momentum into the New Year's Day match.
Arsenal, who had been superb from the starting, began the drive in their own half in the 30th minute of the game and took the ball forward with some brilliant passing.
Bukayo Saka with a perfectly placed first-time shot 👌
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 1, 2022
Arsenal made a great start against City and it's their number seven who gets the goal! pic.twitter.com/OHWbeUBOOY
The pass was the type of thing you'd imagine City to perform to their opponents, but instead it was Arsenal who made it all the way through the visitors.
Bukayo Saka has scored more goals in 2022 than any other player in Europe.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 1, 2022
Ballon d’Or incoming. 😜
The ball was then moved into the area, where Saka stroked it home past Ederson to give Mikel Arteta's team the lead, despite the fact that Arsenal boss is at home due to Covid.
With City leading 2nd place Chelsea by 8 points going into the game, Pep Guardiola appeared to be in a good mood before the game, greeting everyone a Happy New Year of 2022.
Bukayo Saka. What a finish.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 1, 2022
Kicking off 2022 in style ✨ pic.twitter.com/B678uHvTT9
However the comfortable mood would not have lasted for a long time within the City's technical room, as the Arsenal were clearly the best team during the initial forty-five minutes.
They might have had a penalty when Ederson pulled down Martin Odegaard inside the box, however the referee and VAR official deemed that the goalkeeper had enough on the ball in the challenge.
Even after the score, Arsenal had the good opportunities, as Bukayo and Gabriel Martinelli in particular faced difficulties for City.
Featured Image Credit: BT Sport