Martin Keown says Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka looks better than Nicolas Pepe

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Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has compared the merits of young winger Bukayo Saka and record signing Nicolas Pepe following the 3-0 away win against Eintracht Frankfurt last night.

Teenager Saka scored his side’s second goal in between laying on the other two goals for Joe Willock and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to get the Gunners’ Europa League Europa League campaign off to a flier.

On BT Sport, via the Daily Mail, Keown said: “You think of the way Pepe’s playing at the moment, they paid £72million for him, and this kid (Saka) looks better than him tonight.

“Look at this for composure. It’s a beautiful finish. 18 years of age, unbelievable.”

TBR’s View – Saka’s progress could allow Pepe more time to settle in

£140,000-a-week (Spotrac) Pepe hasn’t quite had the desired impact since coming in during the summer, in a signing that got Arsenal fans very excited indeed.

Perhaps he just needs more time to settle, but in the meantime, Saka looks ready for the demands of Premier League football and could give Unai Emery an alternative to persisting with Pepe.

The 18-year-old looks a real prospect and the fact that he got himself on the scoresheet and laid on goals last night shows he’s not just a box of tricks with no end-product.