Ex-Arsenal player Ally McCoist says a current Arsenal player is not considered world class, despite being "terrific."

Ally McCoist, the former Scotland star, recently shared his thoughts on Arsenal's rising talent, Bukayo Saka, describing him as "international class". Despite Saka's impressive performances under Mikel Arteta, McCoist believes he is not yet in the world class category. McCoist acknowledges Saka's crucial role in Arsenal's recent Premier League campaigns, with three goals and seven assists in just 10 appearances this season.

There has been a debate surrounding Saka's place among the world's best players, especially with the emergence of young talents like Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. Some argue that Saka should be considered world class, while others, like former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara, believe he is not quite there yet. McCoist falls into the latter category, stating that Saka is "a notch below" world class.

During a discussion with talkSPORT, McCoist explained, "I really like him and I think he is a terrific player. I think [Mohamed] Salah is world class, I think Saka is international class and has the potential to become world class." He goes on to define world class as being at the level of legendary players like Messi, Ronaldo, Beckenbauer, and Cruyff. McCoist emphasizes the rarity of being considered world class and cautions against throwing the term around lightly.

While McCoist may not be ready to label Saka as world class just yet, he acknowledges the 19-year-old's continuous improvement and importance to Arsenal's success. When presented with the argument that Saka could start in any club's starting XI, McCoist points out that he might not necessarily displace star players like Man City's Doku, Jack Grealish, or Savinho. However, he does admit that he has a soft spot for Saka and believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

Regardless of the ongoing debate, Saka continues to impress and solidify his place as a key player for Arsenal. With his exceptional performances and potential for growth, it's clear that he has a bright future ahead of him in the world of football. While McCoist may not be ready to label him as world class just yet, there is no denying that Saka is an integral part of Arsenal's success and a promising talent to watch out for.

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