Jermaine Jenas lauds Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka after win over WBA

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Jermaine Jenas heaped praise on Arsenal star Bukayo Saka after the Gunners defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

The former Tottenham midfielder discussed the performance of the Arsenal star during last night’s Match of the Day 2.

Saka was asked to play at left-back yesterday as Mikel Arteta aimed to bounce back after seeing his team lose in the Europa League semi-final to Villarreal in midweek.

The youngster didn’t disappoint and was a constant menace to the Albion defence, with the Baggies now relegated to the Championship after this defeat.

Saka has been a revelation during 2020/21 and is one of England’s brightest young talents right now.

Jenas was mightily impressed with the 19-year-old after his latest display and offered some kind words after his performance.

He told Match of the Day 2: “I have never seen anything like it down the one side and Saka, I can’t speak highly enough of this player, I really can’t.

“All season he’s been the shining light for Arsenal and he’s probably the only one.

“To say he’s so young, a lot has been asked of him at times. He’s played right-wing, left-wing, he’s played in behind the striker and today he’s been asked by the manager to play at left-back and he was still the best player on the pitch.

“This is the one player that you can always rely on. In what has been a shocker of a season for Arsenal and for Mikel Arteta, there have been some young players who can really hold their head up high and this guy is the leader of them.

“He’s the most important player in that Arsenal team in my opinion.”

TBR View: Saka could really take off next season

The Arsenal talent is learning with each game he plays and since Arteta arrived at the club he’s been one of the first names on the team sheet.

That is probably a testament to the coaching methods of Arteta. There is, however, still more to come from the talented Hale End graduate.

Saka earns just £30,000-a-week which is low in comparison to Arsenal’s highest-earning stars.

On current form, a new deal could be in the offing though, with the tricky performer likely to be part of the Gunners ranks for many years to come.

Saka has scored seven goals and registered 10 assists this season which is a promising return for a talented player.

Next season he could be even better and Arsenal have a potential star of the game on their hands.