‘Brings him more pressure’… Rio Ferdinand says he actually feels sorry for one Arsenal player

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Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he now feels sorry for Bukayo Saka as the debate continues over whether the Arsenal star is already world-class.

Most of the Arsenal squad will be extremely happy with where they are right now. Mikel Arteta’s men have enjoyed an amazing February, having scored 18 goals in four Premier League games.

Bukayo Saka has scored a third of those goals. So it is certainly fair to say that the 22-year-old is in world-class form right now. However, Rio Ferdinand suggested after the win over West Ham that Saka is not world-class just yet.

Rio Ferdinand says he now feels sorry for Bukayo Saka

He noted that the England international is yet to play a number of games in the knockout stages of the Champions League. But Ferdinand’s comments have certainly sparked plenty of debate.

Ian Wright hit out at Ferdinand for his comments on Saka. And it seems that Ferdinand would quite happily see the debate over whether the Arsenal star is at that elite level go away, judging by comments he has now made on his YouTube channel.

“Do you know who I feel sorry for in this situation? Saka. Because it brings him more pressure. Someone asked me a simple question. I answered it honestly. I gave him the praise and credit that I think he deserves. But it’s a massive compliment being talked about in and around the world-class conversation, I think, for a player so young,” he said.

Arsenal star in world-class form right now

If Saka was aware of what Ferdinand said, it does not appear to have had a negative impact on his form. The youngster has been exceptional of late.

Having said that, Saka has been so consistent throughout his time in the first-team. Even when he did not appear to be as impressive in the previous months of the season, he was still providing goals and assists for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Perhaps he is not there yet. But that is exactly what world-class players tend to do.