Former football player Robert Pires attends the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers at the Accor Arena on January 23, 2025 in Paris, France.Former football player Robert Pires attends the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers at the Accor Arena on January 23, 2025 in Paris, France.
Former football player Robert Pires attends the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers at the Accor Arena on January 23, 2025 in Paris, France. | Getty Images
A former Arsenal hero has been heaping on the praise on a current member of the Gunners squad
Arsenal are preparing for a return to Premier League action as they head to Manchester United in the late Sunday afternoon kick-off. The Gunners have not had a league outing since drawing 0-0 with Nottingham Forest 11 days ago but head into the clash at Old Trafford high on confidence.
Mikel Arteta’s side hammered PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek as they recorded a 7-1 win in the first leg of their round of 16 tie. It all-but puts them into the quarter finals, meaning there is less need for Arteta to think about resting players against United.
Liverpool moved 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday afternoon. However, Arsenal have played two fewer games and now have the chance to cut that gap to 10 points as they play twice before their rivals are next in league action.
Arsenal star hailed
One player Arsenal have missed in their bid to win the Premier League title is Bukayo Saka. The winger has been out since picking up a serious hamstring injury against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park back in December.
Now one of the club’s former players has been praising Saka for his quality and also believes he has hugely improved one area of his game. Robert Pires - a key member of Arsenal’s 2003/04 invincible team - said in an interview with the Athletic: “Bukayo Saka is one of the best players in Europe in his position.
“He has that ability to always get past his opponent. As soon as he receives the ball, if he sees that there’s space behind the defender, he goes for it. I also think he’s progressed a huge amount in his off-the-ball work. He always offers a pass when a team-mate’s on the ball.”
How important is Saka to Arsenal?
Despite not playing since mid-December, Saka has the third most goals for Arsenal in the Premier League this term with five. That total is only bettered by Gabriel Martinelli with six and Kai Havertz with nine.
It is not just his goals, however, with the England international providing 10 assists in just 16 games. No other player comes close to that output, with Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice providing five assists each in 27 and 25 Premier League appearances, respectively.
Speaking about Saka late last year before his injury, club legend Thierry Henry told BBC Sport: "He's my favourite player, he's been there for so long and he's so nice. I never thought he would reach the levels we are seeing.
"He's a starter for Arsenal, he's a starter for England. I remember when he started he was playing wing-back and the evolution of his game is outstanding because he used to be so lively, to now scoring goals and assists."