After breaking into the Arsenal senior team, Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka has gone from strength to strength under Mikel Arteta.
Saka made his Gunners debut back in 2018 and has since made 187 appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals and providing a further 31 assists. The 21-year-old scored the equaliser against Manchester United on Sunday as Arsenal tasted defeat for the first time this season, despite remaining top of the Premier League.
Saka is now regarded as one of the first names on the teamsheet at the Emirates Stadium and will be key if the Gunners are to return to their former glory and qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. Arteta has previously admitted he is 'confident' that Arsenal will tie the talented winger down to a new long-term contract, with Saka's current deal set to expire in 2024, with interest starting to grow from Liverpool and Manchester City.
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Former United star Roy Keane discussed Saka's situation and talent following the Gunners defeat at Old Trafford, admitting his family will play a key role in his development and future. Keane said: “Of course you do (need to have the maturity).
“You have to be able to deal with the big occasions. Deal with the big crowds and big expectations. The big challenge for him over the years is, 'can he kick on'? Big contract and money. That’s where his family come into it."
Keane likes what he has seen of the England international in his career so far and is excited for what's to come from Saka in the future. The ex-United midfielder added: “Every time I have heard him in interviews, he comes across really, really well.
"He has had big challenges with England and a lot of criticism that way. So, he has squeezed a lot into his short career. I like everything about him. I think if you want to play for the big teams, then he is capable of beating players and it looks like he can beat players easily. There’s more to come from him. But I really like the look of the kid.”
Arsenal are set to kickstart their Europa League campaign on Thursday when they travel to Switzerland to face FC Zurich in Group A. Saka did not appear in the Gunners' Europa League 25-man squad but is set to travel for the clash against FC Zurich as he can be included on a so-called "B list", which allows younger players to join the squad and be of use to them without taking up a squad place.
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