English-born Ghanaian and Crystal Palace forward Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has turned his attention to this weekend’s game against Brentford FC in the English Premier League.
He came on as a late substitute against Arsenal FC at the Selhurst Park in London on Monday night in the week two clash of the English Premier League season.
The 20-year-old Ghanaian prodigy did everything possible to help his team from falling to defeat at home to Arsenal following Martin Ødegaard’s penalty and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s dismissal for the Gunners.
Entering the match in the 83rd minute, Rak-Sakyi showed several moments of invention as Palace mounted a succession of attacks – but unfortunately could not find an equaliser.
Rak-Sakyi told Palace TV: “We’re disappointed not to get the three points, but the team played well and we’re just happy that we worked hard and fought for the club.
“They were in a deep block and we knew it was going to be a difficult ask with the quality of players they have. At the end of the day, it wasn’t our day.
“It’s always going to be difficult when you’ve got 10 men behind the ball. It’s on us to keep patient and try and break through that line of defence. It was really difficult – we just couldn’t get the goal.
“We’ve just got to move on and hopefully we get the next win on Saturday.”
The appearance marked Rak-Sakyi’s first competitive Palace appearance since the final day of the 2021/22 season – and third in the Premier League.
“[That’s] tough, but if I want to play at the highest level, I’ve got to play against the tough teams, so it’s really good for me,” Rak-Sakyi admitted.
“I was just trying to make things happen. Coming on the pitch, intensity was high. Fans were screaming and shouting, so it was crazy.”
