‘This guy will improve a lot’: 77-cap Arsenal ace impressed by Gunners teenager

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Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has waxed lyrical about Gunners teammate Bukayo Saka, praising his humility, talent and great attitude.

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.

This term, meanwhile, Saka has made five appearances for the Gunners, with one goal and one assist, and has also been named in the England squad, making his debut against Wales last night.

Elneny has played alongside the Hale End graduate three times this season and couldn’t sing his praises highly enough, in conversation with the Arsenal website.

“I love him because he’s really humble, he’s like my little brother,” the 77-cap Egypt international said. “He’s always laughing and I love him as well because every day I can feel that he wants to learn new things.

“This makes me think this guy will improve a lot because if you always come to training to try to learn from the people around you, when you have a chance to play and give 100 percent all of the time and you love what you do, it’s only going to be good for him. I’m really happy for him.”

Saka was named in England’s starting XI in Thursday’s game against the Dragons at Wembley and played 76 minutes before being replaced by Arsenal teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

After a nervy start, he grew into the game and looked more steady and solid, even going close to scoring with a deflected effort in the second half, though Wayne Hennessey was able to save.

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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.

Securing his services on a long-term contract was just one of several coups for the Gunners over the past few months and the future certainly seems bright in the red half of North London.