‘Want to see him doing it then’… Pundit says ‘world-class’ Arsenal player needs to do more in big games

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Ben Foster has issued his verdict on whether he thinks that Bukayo Saka is world-class following comments from Rio Ferdinand about the Arsenal star.

Bukayo Saka has been in absolutely superb form of late for the Gunners. The 22-year-old has now scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in the Premier League for Mikel Arteta’s side this season.

Saka has been outstanding for the large majority of his time in the Arsenal first-team. However, it appears that he still has something of a point to prove at the Emirates.

Ben Foster shares whether he thinks Bukayo Saka is world-class

Rio Ferdinand suggested after the 6-0 win over West Ham that Saka is not yet world-class. The pundit’s point was that the 22-year-old still needs to prove himself in the latter stages of the Champions League and in the games when trophies are on the line.

In fairness to Ferdinand, his comments were hardly critical of the youngster. But he is yet to make his debut in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Nevertheless, it has prompted debate over whether Saka is world-class. Speaking on The Football Fill-In, Ben Foster suggested that Saka is in that top tier. However, he did agree with one of Ferdinand’s points.

“It’s a tough one. I get where he’s coming from with it. I do think he’s world-class. But I also want to see him do more in the big games, the real ones that matter. Do you know what I mean? When you’re playing your Man Citys, when you’re playing your Champions League quarter-final, semi-finals, them games, and the games towards the end of the season where Arsenal need someone to grab them by the scruff of the neck and lead them to wins, to wins, to wins, to wins. I want to see him doing it then,” he said.

“It’s great doing it against West Ham when they’re in a bad run of form, and Burnley when they’re bottom of the league and you’re scoring four goals. But if he can do that relentlessly, that’s when it’s not even a question of a doubt.”

No question over Arsenal star’s potential

Ultimately, this particular writer who can barely register a goal in a five-a-side game is not going to tell Rio Ferdinand what world-class looks like. And actually, the former Manchester United man has been a huge supporter of Saka’s down the years.

He probably does now need to take that next step and make a devastating impact on the biggest stages – which Arsenal are about to find themselves on once again.

But what you simply cannot debate is that Saka absolutely has the quality to make that impact. And it would be no surprise if everyone is soon in agreement that Saka is indeed nothing short of world-class.