BUKAYO SAKA has helped give Raheem Sterling’s son an experience he’ll never forget.
Thiago Sterling, 7, was Saka’s mascot ahead of the Gunners Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain.
The youngster accompanied the Three Lions star out onto the Emirates field ahead of Tuesday’s game.
The seven-year-old beamed as he lined up alongside the Gunners team for the Champions League anthem.
Thiago proved to be a lucky omen, with Saka going on to score the second goal in a comfortable 2-0 win for the hosts.
One proud Arsenal fan responded on X: “Incredible gesture from our captain.”
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Another said: “A special moment for Saka and Thiago.”
While a third added: “Absolutely love this.”
And a fourth speculated: “Sterling is doing everything in his power to make this into a permanent transfer.”
Even at the age of 1, Thiago was showing signs of being a chip off the old block.
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Thiago went viral as a toddler after showing off his footy skills during an in-door kickabout with his dad.
Sterling is currently on loan at Arsenal from parent club Chelsea.
Last month, the 29-year-old opened up on his potential life after football for the first time.
And he does not want to follow the traditional route many players take by going into coaching.
Sterling wrote in the Gunners matchday programme against Leicester: “I don’t know about coaching yet, but maybe something to do with working with young players and trying to help them handle what’s next and prepare them for that.
“I get real joy out of helping people. Being any sort of help to people on a football pitch gives me real joy, so it might not be coaching but something along those lines, working with players, but not maybe as a traditional coach.”
Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Havertz makes striker spot his own… but Calafiori shows chinks in his armour
KAI HAVERTZ and Bukayo Saka sent Arsenal to a deserved victory borne of first-half dominance.
Paris Saint-Germain did hit the bar and the post as they improved after the break in this Champions League tie.
But Emirates chief Mikel Arteta will mostly be delighted with his side’s latest solid display in Europe’s top club competition.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners at the Emirates on Tuesday.
DAVID RAYA – 7
Was perhaps busier than he usually is at home.
Helplessly watched a Nuno Mendes effort smack his far post and stood firm to deny Achraf Hakimi at his near post.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
A frantic display, one that had more shaky moments than good. Kept busy by Hakimi and was done for pace on a few occasions but recovered well.
A mistake early in the second half almost gave PSG a way back into the game. Needs to iron out these errors from his game, particularly when he is so dangerous in attack.
However, he was playing at right-back for the first time in his career after the break.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Did not have much to do. A stray pass early on could have been costly but other than that another reliable and strong performance.
GABRIEL – 7
Sprayed some nice passes about from deep but this was a stress-free night’s work compared to the Premier League.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Just how on earth does Ben White get back in this side at right back? Another immaculate display from a man who seemingly has it all in defence and attack.
Well, White may well get his chance after Timber was subbed off at half-time.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Solid as a rock and building a real partnership with Partey in midfield. Had a chance to drive forward just before the half hour mark but his pass to Saka was cut out.
THOMAS PARTEY – 8
So consistent at the moment, something Arsenal fans have not seen from the Ghanaian midfielder in a long time owing mostly to injury.
Made some crucial interceptions and showed real composure playing out from deep.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 8
One of Arsenal’s most important players right now. Since his red card at Man City, he has notched a goal and an assist – the latter here for Havertz to open the scoring with a perfectly-timed cross.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
After an early shot over the bar from a trademark cut inside, the England international had a slight drop off in influence before his scuffed free-kick flew in untouched from out wide.
Still, he gave Mendes a torrid time at left-back. Even PSG manager Luis Enrique watched on at times in awe inside his technical area.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
A quiet night for the Brazilian following his first goal since March against Leicester, which may have been down to a big collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first few minutes.
Should have made it 3-0 with a volley inside the box after the break but it was straight at Donnarumma. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
KAI HAVERTZ – 9
Brave and brilliant to head in from Trossard’s teasing cross, despite the onrushing lump that is Donnarumma trying to take his head off.
Almost had an assist too with a cute lay-up for Martinelli in the box. The striker-midfield debate should be over – Havertz is a top-class centre forward.
SUBS:
JAKUB KIWIOR (TIMBER, 45) – 7
Did what was expected of him at left-back. Produced a good recovery tackle on Kang-in Lee in the box.
MIKEL MERINO (PARTEY, 64) – 7
Finally, a debut for the Spaniard. Some neat touches under pressure, slotting in seamlessly next to Rice.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD, 74) – 6
Looked desperate to impress having struggled for starts so far and that looks to be working against him – things just aren’t clicking.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (SAKA, 92) – N/A
Sterling has appeared just twice since arriving from Stamford Bridge in the summer.
But he is confident he still has plenty to give out on the field as Arsenal hunt for trophies this season.
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He continued: “I don’t know [about role after retirement] – it’s a way off yet. That’s something for the future.
“There is a qualification I want to do, not on the coaching side, but I will focus on playing first I think.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
