August 17th 2024.
During a post-match press conference, Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta was asked about Bukayo Saka's tendency to cut inside onto his left foot. Arteta, with a big smile on his face, proceeded to compare Saka to the legendary Lionel Messi after their 2-0 win against Wolves in the Premier League opener on Saturday. Saka and his teammate Kai Havertz both scored in the match, giving the Gunners a perfect start at the Emirates and securing all three points.
When the question about Saka and his cutting inside technique was posed, Arteta couldn't help but express his admiration for the young winger. "Good players, you know..." he began, before making the comparison to Messi. "With [Lionel] Messi, I know that 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," Arteta explained.
The debate over whether Saka can be considered a world-class player has been ongoing, despite his impressive performances for Arsenal in recent years. In fact, back in February, Rio Ferdinand faced backlash from Arsenal fans on a flight to Porto after stating that Saka was not yet world-class on his Vibe with Five show. "Not yet," Ferdinand said. "Listen, I think Saka's been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid. But I think, it's almost like what is world-class? He hasn't done it in the Champions League, has he? I'm talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka's top, don't get me wrong. He's not world-class yet."
However, it's important to note that Saka is still only 20 years old and has already achieved great success with Arsenal. He joined the club's academy from Watford in 2008, the same year that Arsenal last reached the Champions League semi-finals. In comparison, Messi has won four Champions League titles and has a long list of domestic and international triumphs, as well as numerous individual awards, including a record eight Ballon d'Ors.
Although Saka may not have the same level of accolades as Messi, he has still made a significant impact at Arsenal, winning one FA Cup and two Community Shields since breaking into the starting XI. As for his potential to become a world-class player, only time will tell. But for now, Saka's impressive performances and potential have certainly caught the attention of his manager and fans alike.
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