Robert Pires labels Arsenal star ‘one of the best players in Europe’

Robert Pires lauded the ability of Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka and insisted the 23-year-old is already ‘one of the best players in Europe’.

A mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s side, Saka picked up where he left off at the start of this season with five goals and ten assists in his first 16 Premier League games.

The Hale End academy product has barely missed a minute of football in recent seasons but is currently working his way back from the serious hamstring injury he picked up at the back end of last year.

The Englishman has missed Arsenal’s last 16 games in all competitions and is not expected to be considered for selection until after the upcoming international break.

Alongside Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, who are also currently on the treatment table, Saka’s presence has been sorely missed despite the impressive showings from Ethan Nwaneri who has deputised superbly on the right wing.

And Arsenal’s stuttering title charge since Saka’s injury comes as no surprise to former Arsenal great Pires who regards Saka as one of Europe’s most deadly wide players.

‘Bukayo Saka is one of the best players in Europe in his position,’ Pires told the Athletic.

‘He has that ability to always get past his opponent. As soon as he receives the ball, if he sees that there’s space behind the defender, he goes for it.

‘I also think he’s progressed a huge amount in his off-the-ball work. He always offers a pass when a team-mate’s on the ball.’

Discussing other wide forwards he admires, Pires also namechecked Liverpool’s Mohamaed Salah who he believes has gone up another notch this season under Arne Slot.

‘This season Mo Salah has progressed a huge amount in terms of always being in the right position,’ the Frenchman added.

‘With the experience that he has, he senses things. He’s always well positioned. And he’s very good at anticipating defensive mistakes. He’s never surprised when the ball comes to him — he’s always ready. As we say here in France, he is irresistible!’

Saka, like Salah, may soon find himself fielding questions about his long-term future at his current club given the Arsenal forward’s contract expires in the summer of 2027.

William Saliba is another player whose long-term future at Arsenal has come under speculation, but Arteta moved to reassure fans and said that players’ agents were ‘fully aware’ of their plans when it came to contract renewals.

‘I think those communications or decisions are made over time so we understand when we have to act,’ the Spaniard said last month.

‘Players and agents are fully aware of the intentions of the club are. And in the right moment we have these discussions.

‘I’m sure we’re very aware of the contractual situation of every player so they will be dealing with those kind of matters.’

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