West Ham United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
West Ham United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has stated that the whole squad believes in Bukayo Saka after Jorginho claimed that the Englishman could win the Ballon d'Or. Jorginho, who joined the Gunners in January 2023 from Chelsea, has played alongside Saka for almost two years.
Bukayo Saka has bagged seven goals and 11 assists across competitions for Mikel Arteta's side this season. The 23-year-old is also the Gunners' joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Kai Havertz with five goals.
In a recent episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Italian midfielder stated that he believes Bukayo Saka can win the Ballon d'Or in the future. He said:
"He's world-class. I said to him, 'I want to see you with the Ballon d'Or.' I believe (he can win it). I hope he's believing in himself as well. He's just an unbelievable player who is becoming like a machine for us. I hope he becomes like that for England as well. His hunger and talent and his quality is just so high."
Trending
Addressing Jorginho's comments on Saka, Mikel Arteta stated that such words of admiration show how much the team believes in the Englishman. He said (via Sky Sports News):
"They train with him every day, they're in the dressing room with him, so for a player, a team-mate, to have this kind of words, it shows you how much they believe in him."
Saka joined Arsenal's youth ranks in 2008. In November 2018, the Englishman made his debut for the Gunners. Since then, he has made 244 appearances for Arsenal's senior team, bagging 65 goals and 61 assists across all competitions.
Arsenal aim to sign English forward on a free transfer next summer: Reports
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are interested in signing Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a free agent next summer, as per Football Insider. Calvert-Lewin last signed a contract extension with Sean Dyche's side in March 2020 and his ongoing deal will expire in June 2025.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are keen to recruit new players in the frontline as look to replace Gabriel Jesus and believe Dominic Calvert-Lewin could fit the bill.
However, much like Jesus, the 27-year-old has struggled for consistency in recent seasons and has been plagued with recurring injuries. The Englishman joined Everton from Sheffield United in August 2016. Since then, he has played 270 matches for the Toffees, bagging 70 goals and 19 assists across competitions.