Bukayo Saka’s ‘world class’ performances are ‘scary’ but he needs a top striker
Darren Bent has hailed Bukayo Saka as ‘world class’ as the Arsenal star was praised for being his side’s most clinical attacker. But talkSPORT has been told the Gunners will need to sign more fire power this January if they want to advance up the Premier League table. Saka claimed another man of the match award, this time against MonacoGetty The winger has continued to be Arsenal’s main threat this season, with 21 goals and assists in as many appearances so far this campaign. He is on track to beat Thierry Henry’s record of 20 league assists from the 2002/03 campaign. Saka bagged a brace and an assist in the 3-0 win against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday – and Bent was full of praise for the 23-year-old. Speaking on Inside Gooners, Bent – who is a member of the Premier League 100 club – said: “He’s incredible. You can’t speak highly enough of him. “Every single game he’s out there, he’s durable. If you watched last night [against Monaco] they weren’t really doubling up on him, sometimes there were three players on him and he had no space. “He just gets better and better and every single game you know what you’re going to get from him. “Even if he’s not seeing much of the ball there’ll be one or two defining moments where he’ll score a goal or create. For me he’s world class. “Every single game regardless of the opposition. He’s not a flat track bully that only puts lower teams to the sword. Champions League, EFL cup, Premier League, every single competition Arsenal are in he’s there producing the goods and it’s getting better. “That’s the scary thing.” Saka’s great performances have papered over the cracks of a malfunctioning Arsenal attack at times. Monaco’s goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki saves a shot from Gabriel JesusGETTY Against mid blocks, Mikel Arteta’s side have often struggled to supply a flurry of chances needed considering their lack of clinical finishers. Despite a 3-0 scoreline against Monaco, the Gunners really should have scored more. Gabriel Jesus continued his 32 match goal drought thanks to his failure to convert his two one-on-one chances. “It’s accentuated how clinical and decisive [Saka] is by the fact that the other attackers aren’t really”, said The Athletic writer Charlie Eccleshare on the show. “Certainly not at the moment. If you’re looking at this team, who’s going to step up and produce a moment? It’s him every time because even someone [Martin] Odegaard is not at his top level. “It’s certainly not happening on the left. Saka’s ability to pop up with a goal out of nothing is really striking in this team.” Arsenal content creator Clive Palmer added: “Do we have enough firepower to do what we want to do? “Back to Gabriel Jesus again, we need to re-find him because these things are going to cost us if we don’t. They cost us on Sunday [against Fulham].” Fans have called for Viktor Gyokeres to be signed, while Emmanuel Petit lobbied for Victor Osimhen. Whatever Arsenal are planning for the upcoming transfer window, it will need to help push the club to their first Premier League title since 2004. The Gunners currently sit third in the league, six points off leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand. Chelsea are in second, two points ahead of Arsenal.
Darren Bent has hailed Bukayo Saka as ‘world class’ as the Arsenal star was praised for being his side’s most clinical attacker.
But talkSPORT has been told the Gunners will need to sign more fire power this January if they want to advance up the Premier League table.
The winger has continued to be Arsenal’s main threat this season, with 21 goals and assists in as many appearances so far this campaign.
He is on track to beat Thierry Henry’s record of 20 league assists from the 2002/03 campaign.
Saka bagged a brace and an assist in the 3-0 win against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday – and Bent was full of praise for the 23-year-old.
Speaking on Inside Gooners, Bent – who is a member of the Premier League 100 club – said: “He’s incredible. You can’t speak highly enough of him.
“Every single game he’s out there, he’s durable. If you watched last night [against Monaco] they weren’t really doubling up on him, sometimes there were three players on him and he had no space.
“He just gets better and better and every single game you know what you’re going to get from him.
“Even if he’s not seeing much of the ball there’ll be one or two defining moments where he’ll score a goal or create. For me he’s world class.
“Every single game regardless of the opposition. He’s not a flat track bully that only puts lower teams to the sword. Champions League, EFL cup, Premier League, every single competition Arsenal are in he’s there producing the goods and it’s getting better.
“That’s the scary thing.”
Saka’s great performances have papered over the cracks of a malfunctioning Arsenal attack at times.
Against mid blocks, Mikel Arteta’s side have often struggled to supply a flurry of chances needed considering their lack of clinical finishers.
Despite a 3-0 scoreline against Monaco, the Gunners really should have scored more.
Gabriel Jesus continued his 32 match goal drought thanks to his failure to convert his two one-on-one chances.
“It’s accentuated how clinical and decisive [Saka] is by the fact that the other attackers aren’t really”, said The Athletic writer Charlie Eccleshare on the show.
“Certainly not at the moment. If you’re looking at this team, who’s going to step up and produce a moment? It’s him every time because even someone [Martin] Odegaard is not at his top level.
“It’s certainly not happening on the left. Saka’s ability to pop up with a goal out of nothing is really striking in this team.”
Arsenal content creator Clive Palmer added: “Do we have enough firepower to do what we want to do?
“Back to Gabriel Jesus again, we need to re-find him because these things are going to cost us if we don’t. They cost us on Sunday [against Fulham].”
Fans have called for Viktor Gyokeres to be signed, while Emmanuel Petit lobbied for Victor Osimhen.
Whatever Arsenal are planning for the upcoming transfer window, it will need to help push the club to their first Premier League title since 2004.
The Gunners currently sit third in the league, six points off leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand.
Chelsea are in second, two points ahead of Arsenal.
