‘Hope Arsenal realise what they’ve got here’: BBC pundit says Gunners have a star in the making

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Arsenal rising star Bukayo Saka has been named in Garth Crooks’ latest Premier League Team of the Week, the BBC Sport pundit hailing the Gunners gem as a star in the making.

The 19-year-old enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season at Arsenal in 2019-20, clocking up 39 appearances in all competitions and weighing in with four goals and 11 assists.

Saka has very much hit the ground running this term as well, with 18 appearances under his belt and a tally of two goals and two assists.

The left-sided attacker picked up the Man of the Match award for his performance in the 3-1 win over Chelsea on Boxing Day, putting his side three up with a superb floated effort.

While some have questioned whether Saka meant to go for goal, Crooks is adamant he did, deeming it a “magnificent” effort and claiming Arsenal may be on the verge of creating another great player.

“I hope Arsenal realise what they’ve got here,” Crooks wrote on BBC Sport.

“This kid could be anything he wants to be. How anyone could even suggest that Saka didn’t mean to chip Edouard Mendy for Arsenal’s third against Chelsea, having seen the analysis, is a mystery to me.

“You see the lad look at the keeper before he attempts to execute the skill. The only people who could possibly suggest this magnificent goal was anything other than a fluke are those incapable of displaying such ability.

“Saka was one of the few players who never gave up against Burnley in an otherwise abject performance while his build-up play for Aubameyang’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Southampton three days later was outstanding.

“The Gunners have developed some great players in the past and if they play their cards right they may be on the verge of creating another.”

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Whilst last season was mostly difficult for Arsenal – until right at the end anyway – Saka’s breakthrough was one of the main positives, and he’s certainly going from strength to strength.

Likewise, 2020-21 has so far been more miss than hit for the Gunners, but displays like the one against Chelsea show just how much class and potential sit within the North Londoners’ ranks.

And Saka has impressed even when many of his teammates didn’t, so Crooks is spot on here – Arsenal really do have a potential star in the making if they play their cards right.