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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bailey Keogh

Arsenal already have their own Arjen Robben as Mikel Arteta's summer transfer priority is clear

Bukayo Saka has been endorsed by Arjen Robben by his performances on the pitch, as Arsenal’s star boy has the same amount of Premier League goals as the legendary winger. It highlights the direction and the untouchable ceiling that Saka has.

Robben is known as one of the best left-footed wingers in football who caused havoc on opposition left-backs during his tenure at Bayern Munich. He also had a spell at Chelsea where he also showed his quality as an elite winger.

Saka has elements of Robben to his game, as he is also dominant down the right-hand side, which gives him the ability to cut in on his stronger left foot. The crucial part he is missing in his game is to be lethal in front of goal, which was what Robben had in his locker. But the fact that Saka has equalled the legendary Dutchman's Premier League goal tally shows that he is certainly heading in the right direction.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta given £12m Arsenal lay off for Serie A star which triggers a dream double transfer

Saka’s excellent strike against Aston Villa meant that the Englishman reached 15 goals in the Premier League. This is also the same amount that Arjen Robben reached during his two-year stint with Chelsea.

There have been questions surrounding Saka’s future in particular recently as his contract situation is beginning to reach a precarious stage. This summer he will have just two years remaining on his current deal and is approaching the stage where a renewal must happen.

The Englishman is viewed as one of the club’s most valuable assets. football.london understands that the Gunners have made extending the current contract of the youngster a key priority ahead of the summer transfer window.

A lot of pressure has been heaped on the shoulders of Saka to carry Arsenal through tough situations despite his tender age and his style is key to Arsenal’s improved fluency in attack. It has also led to him being the most-used player under Arteta since he took control of the team in 2019.

Saka's excellent performances for Arsenal meant he received a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad where the team reached the final, with the youngster playing a crucial part throughout the tournament. His displays gave him leverage in being nominated for the 2021 Kopa trophy which has been previously won by the likes of French star Kylian Mbappe.

He certainly has a long way to go to reach the heights of a legendary player like Robben, but they have similarities and the ceiling is certainly there for Saka to reach that level. Equalling the Dutchman’s Premier League goal tally is certainly a sign that the Englishman is heading in the right direction.

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