Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has likened youngster Bukayo Saka to Liverpool star Mohamed Salah amid an impressive start to the season. The 21-year-old has eight goal involvements across all competitions so far for the Gunners, becoming a clear mainstay on the right flank.
"He can become much better," Mikel Arteta said of the winger after his goal sealed a 1-0 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League group stages. "He had moments in the game where he was really good and then moments he can improve and demand more of himself, especially defensively."
Saka's goal secured all three points in Norway, though it would be one of his luckier ones as the ball deflected off a defender and back upon him to beat the goalkeeper. It means the Gunners secure top spot in the Europa League group as things currently stand, with a huge double clash against PSV Eindhoven likely to decide whether they will progress as expected.
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Despite the nature of the England international's goal, Keown has likened him to Salah, saying to BT Sport: "He's top drawer. He's come through the academy and he's had his foot on every rung of the ladder. He's now showing the way for the next generation. Tonight he was the difference with that little bit of class he has. He's a left-footed right winger, it's really difficult to defend when he comes inside with that change of pace.
"I know he gets a little bit lucky there but that's quite emphatic, you see Salah doing that for Liverpool. He's in that mould now, starting to come off the line a bit more and come more central. Him and Martinelli are really going through the gears in Arsenal jerseys."
His form has led to the Gunners eyeing a contract extension, with his current deal expiring in 2024 - though football.london also understands that the club hold a one-year extension clause too. However, Fabrizio Romano reports that Saka's contract is a priority for the club, while Nicolo Schira has added that discussions are closing in on a new five-year agreement until 2027.
Given his importance to the side, getting the youngster tied down to a new long-term deal could be some of the most important transfer business the club do in the next few months.
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