August 17th 2024.
During the post-match press conference following Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Wolves, manager Mikel Arteta was asked about Bukayo Saka's tendency to cut inside onto his left foot. Arteta couldn't help but smile as he compared Saka to none other than the legendary Lionel Messi.
When questioned about why opposing teams allow Saka to cut inside, Arteta responded, "Good players, you know... With Messi, you know he's going to come in here and put the ball there. He does it all the time. It's the quality of the players." It was a compliment that any young footballer would surely be thrilled to receive.
There has been much debate surrounding Saka's status as a world-class footballer. Despite being Arsenal's most important attacking player and consistently delivering impressive performances, some have argued that he has not yet reached world-class status. In fact, earlier this year, former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand faced backlash from Arsenal fans after stating that Saka was not yet at that level.
Ferdinand's reasoning was that Saka had not yet proven himself in the "nitty-gritty" stages of top-level football, such as the Champions League. However, it's worth noting that Saka is still a young player and has accomplished a great deal in his short career. He has already won one FA Cup and two Community Shields with Arsenal, while Messi has four Champions League titles and numerous other accolades to his name.
Of course, Saka's potential is undeniable and it's clear that he has a bright future ahead of him. But to be compared to Messi, who is widely regarded as the best footballer of all time, is no small feat. And while Arsenal may not have reached the Champions League semi-finals since Saka joined the team, it's important to remember that he is just one player and cannot be held solely responsible for the team's success.
In the end, only time will tell if Saka will reach the same level of success as Messi. But for now, he continues to impress on the pitch and prove his worth to Arsenal and its fans. As for Arteta, he can't help but be proud of his young star and the comparison to Messi is certainly high praise.
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