Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has claimed that Bukayo Saka needs to take hold of the huge Premier League title clash on Wednesday. In a first vs second meeting at the Etihad Stadium, it appears to be winner takes all.
City are on fire and bulldozing through competitions with the treble firmly in sight while the Gunners are looking to bounce back from three consecutive draws. Win in Manchester and everything changes once more for Mikel Arteta's men.
It is a new feeling for this young Arsenal side, though, and none of the players, barring Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko in their time under Pep Guardiola, have experienced this situation before. Toure believes now is the time to stand up and be counted, pinpointing Arsenal's star that can change the game.
READ NEXT: Paul Merson makes big Arsenal and Man City claim ahead of potential Premier League decider
“This is the first time he has had that pressure,” Toure said of Saka. Speaking to The Independent, he added: “But it is money time now. This is when Michael Jordan made his money. When he made the difference.
“They would give him the ball when the pressure was on and they would look for the guy who could make the difference. The Arsenal team have Saka and this boy has a special talent, definitely. He’s been carrying that team very well this season.
“In the games coming, he has to show that. It’s not about age. It’s about talent. He has unbelievable talent and desire. He loves that club and I’m sure this is a player who can really push the team up.”
Saka has been one of the best players in the entire league this term. He ranks eighth for goals but nobody younger than him has more. In the assists column he is second behind only Kevin De Bruyne with 11. Combine the two and only Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have more.
It has been a continuation of his upwards trajectory and Toure thinks he's that good that the 21 year-old wouldn't have looked out of place in the brilliant Invinvibles team from nearly 20 years ago.
“Obviously, Saka," Toure responded when asked who would fit in from the current crop. “This boy has a special talent. He has passion, he has desire. He has technique, he has everything.
“I have been very impressed with what he is doing and for me, as a football man who has been in the game for a long time, watching the game, if the game is easy, it is quite boring.
“But when I watch a game and it is tight and I see one player willing to take the ball under pressure and make the difference – that is what we love.
“But this moment is special because it is the first time he is facing all this. But there is always a first time for everybody. If that time is now, Arsenal can benefit. Definitely.”
Arsenal may well need a Jordan-esque play-off and championship winning performance from their star on Wednesday.
It's Game On for the title. Watch Man City v Arsenal, the biggest game of the season, exclusively live on BT Sport 1 on Wednesday 26 th April from 7pm. BT Sport will broadcast all Premier League midweek fixtures from Tuesday 25 th to Thursday 27 th April. Watch 30 days of BT Sport, contract-free, for £29.99 a month with the BT Sport Monthly Pass. For more info, visit: bt.com/sport/monthly-pass
READ NEXT:
Man City star Erling Haaland fires two-word response to Arsenal's draw with Southampton
Latest Arsenal injury news as 4 miss Man City with William Saliba and Granit Xhaka update expected
What Mikel Arteta did to Aaron Ramsdale after error as Arsenal seek Premier League title miracle
Arsenal player ratings vs Southampton as Aaron Ramsdale drops clanger and Fabio Vieira anonymous
Arsenal vs Southampton highlights: Odegaard and Saka goals complete comeback but points are dropped
