‘Listen’… Rio Ferdinand delivers honest verdict on Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal performance against Newcastle

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Rio Ferdinand has now been sharing his thoughts on Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal performance against Newcastle United last night.

Ferdinand caused quite the stir with his recent comments confessing that he didn’t believe Saka to be a world class talent just yet.

Many consider that Saka is now consistently proving that he is in that bracket, a winger who now has 13 goals in 25 Premier League games.

Saka has definitely taken his game to another level this season, and perhaps has been spurred on even more by Ferdinand’s claim.

And given that Ferdinand was providing coverage for TNT Sports of Arsenal’s win against Newcastle yesterday, the pundit took a moment to comment on Saka’s display.

Rio Ferdinand praises Bukayo Saka’s mindset after Arsenal beat Newcastle

Ferdinand was speaking in the 68th minute of the game after Saka put Arsenal 3-0 up, and shortly before he was then substituted.

Commentator Darren Fletcher initially slightly teased Ferdinand for his previous comments, which he then clarified.

Fletcher asked: “He might be world class one day Rio aye, Bukayo Saka?”

Ferdinand replied: “Yep, that was part of my statement wasn’t it, when I initially made the comments.

“No listen, that was a fabulous strike, he’s been in the game, and those moments there are what are propelling him forward to be a world class player at some point of his career.

“That consistency, that ability to play in the big masterpiece games during the season in the Premier League and Champions League and be definitive in those games, puts him in that conversation.

“Listen, I think he wants to concentrate on doing good things and being consistent, and this is what he does, fantastic young footballer with a great mentality and mindset.

“And this is why he’s producing moments like that [his goal] on a consistent basis.”

He’s world class right now

In truth, Saka doesn’t really have much more he can do to prove his quality in an Arsenal shirt.

Ferdinand clearly was incredibly impressed by Saka’s showing against Newcastle, and the Arsenal player really is showing no signs of slowing down.

Mikel Arteta will have been delighted to have the chance to give Saka a 20 minute rest towards the end of the game, a luxury he isn’t too often afforded.

Of course, the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard were also brilliant for Arsenal in attack.

And Havertz did actually hail one of his teammates as ‘world class’ at full-time.