"He leads with his ability to take the ball all the time" - Rio Ferdinand names Arsenal star who doesn't need armband to become captain
Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on Arsenal star Bukayo Saka after the Gunners' 5-1 thrashing of Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday (November 26). The pundit believes the England international doesn't need an armband to be recognized as a captain at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta's men ran riot as they traveled to Lisbon to face Sporting in Europe this week. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes put Arsenal 3-0 up at the break before Saka and Leandro Trossard got their names on the scoresheet in the second half.
Speaking after the match to TNT Sports, Ferdinand spoke highly of Saka, who contributed a goal and an assist against Sporting. The Manchester United legend said (via Eurosport):
"We’ve talked about, and rightly so, how much this team has missed [Martin] Odegaard. But let’s not undercut or undervalue the importance of Bukayo Saka. Because he had the armband at the end of the game there, he could be Arsenal captain without a shadow of a doubt. He doesn’t need the armband, he’s a leader in this team already."
He added:
"He leads with his ability to take the ball all the time - under pressure or no pressure - he wants to take the ball and make something happen. His goals return, his goals and assists consistency is through the roof . He’s someone who England are really going to have to rely upon in years to come, but here at Arsenal, the whole place is built for him."
Arsenal will next face West Ham United in the Premier League this Saturday (November 30).
Arsenal legend Martin Keown heaps praise on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard
Arsenal legend Martin Keown is in awe of the partnership Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have formed and how they play off each other.
Saka and Odegaard have been marquee players for Mikel Arteta over the years, especially during their title charges. The pair have appeared in 146 games together, combining to score 11 goals.
Keown believes Odegaard has facilitated Saka's development, insisting that the midfielder and the winger are the best in Europe on the right side of the pitch. He said (via the aforementioned outlet's report):
"They’re building, aren't they? And they’re certainly building their reputation. We talked about belief, and there were occasions this season when you thought the world was against them a little bit, but they’ve kept that belief."
"I think Odegaard is a player who has come in and really opened up that creative channel for Saka, and those two in tandem are as good as anything in Europe, on that right-hand side of the pitch."
"Long may it continue, it’s one performance and one result, but they’ve got to take that forward now. Tonight will be a tremendous boost for their confidence."
