Arsenal star Bukayo Saka tops list of 100 best…

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka tops list of 100 best wonderkids including Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal may have been thrashed 3-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday night, but Bukayo Saka was given something to smile about at the start of the week.

The 20-year-old has been named the best wonderkid in world football by the CIES Football Observatory, seeing him pip the likes of Barcelona star Pedri and Gunners teammate Gabriel Martinelli on their list of the best outfielders under the age of 21. Saka, whose nine goals and five assists in 29 Premier League appearances this season have put Arsenal in pole position to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League, is an established England international with 14 caps to his name.

Having burst onto the scene during the 2019-20 campaign, the winger has become one of the most talked-about players in world football and earned a lucrative new contract offer thanks to his outstanding displays this term. Saka edges out Mason Greenwood for first place on the Football Observatory's list, who is currently suspended by Manchester United.

Arminia Bielefeld striker Patrick Wimmer comes in at number three, lighting up the Bundesliga in his first season with the German club. RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol follows him, one of Europe's best defenders on the ball despite only being 20. Palace prodigy Michael Olise is fifth after his £8million transfer from Reading last summer, proving a shrewd acquisition in spite of his injury troubles.

Youngsters from the continent such as Piero Hincapie, Castello Lukeba, Goncalo Ramos, Nico Williams, Georginio Rutter, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Florian Wirtz fill the gap between the next-best Premier League hotshot, Southampton 's Armando Broja, who is spending the campaign on loan at St Mary's from Chelsea.

And in 14th is Martinelli, who has starred alongside Saka for Mikel Arteta 's team this term, scoring five goals and registering three assists himself. However, the Brazilian was also unable to prevent a drubbing at Selhurst Park on Monday, as the Gunners missed out on the chance to go fourth.

Martinelli is another talent Arsenal boast (PA)

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Arteta has challenged the likes of Saka and Martinelli to respond, with Champions League qualification still in their hands. "Today we have to put our hands up and say it wasn't good enough, apologise, take the criticism and now show that when we talk about unity, especially in difficult moments," the Spaniard told Arsenal Media post-match.

"We lost two players (ahead of the match), we lost the game, we're disappointed but there's still nine games to play. This is a moment now to challenge each other, to help each other and to believe again because on Saturday (against Brighton ) I'm sure we're going to play at the Emirates, it's going to be full and our supporters are going to be right behind the team."