Former Arsenal invincible Jeremie Aliadiere has claimed that current Gunners sensation Bukayo Saka would get into the iconic 2003/04 side that went an entire league season unbeaten.
The Frenchman played alongside some of the greatest players in the club's history but has made the bold claim that 21-year-old Saka could mix it with the best of them and even keep legendary duo Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg out of the starting line-up. Saka has enjoyed a sensational season from an individual view this term.
With 13 league goals and 11 Premier League assists to his name, Saka is the only player across the entirety of the Premier League to register double figures in both metrics. Ever since his integration into the Arsenal first team four years ago, the England international has gone from strength to strength.
Saka has certainly made an impression on ex-Arsenal man Aliadere, who told BoyleSports : "At such a young age, Bukayo Saka is incredible. It looks like he’s playing like a 30-year-old. The way he controls it, he never rushes and he always seems to make the right decision.
"As a young player normally you have a lot to prove, but the way he does everything is just amazing. It’s a tough one, but the way he’s playing I probably would pick Saka over Pires and Ljungberg. I thought Pires was absolutely fantastic, a good friend of mine, but what Saka has been doing this season has been incredible for his age.
"You see Saka and you think, how does he manage to always physically keep the ball? He’s not the strongest but he uses his body so well.
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"You have all those defenders coming at him, you think he’s going to lose it but he holds onto it. I’m so impressed with him. He’s been our best player."
Aliadere himself made 10 appearances in that legendary Arsenal side, but clearly feels Saka could do even more.
Despite the huge praise, another former Arsenal man in Gunners legend Ian Wright feels Saka could do with a rest and has encouraged Arteta to drop the winger, who he thinks could be feeling the impact of a long, tiring season.
"Maybe Saka should get a little bit of a rest," Wright claimed. "I think a little rest. Maybe my mouth is going to quickly for my brain, in this situation we can’t afford to lose anymore games.
"We need everybody out there, but I just worry, I worry for him."
It remains to be seen whether Arteta will heed that advice for Arsenal's trip to Newcastle on Sunday, but Saka will no doubt feature at some point with the Gunners title tilt reaching last chance saloon stage.
