Garth Crooks has praised Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and claimed that he hasn’t seen an 18-year-old look ‘so comfortable’ since Wayne Rooney, as he told BBC Sport.
It has been a breakthrough season for Saka, who netted during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Wolves over the weekend.
Unai Emery was the man who first brought through Saka, playing him mainly at left-back, but under Mikel Arteta, he has been used in more attacking positions and he is thriving.
Former Spurs striker, Crooks, spoke very highly of Saka’s talents and stated that he has the ‘grace and style’ of a young Rooney.
“The star of the show [against Wolves] was Bukayo Saka,” Crooks told BBC Sport. “The last time I saw an 18-year-old look so comfortable in a Premier League fixture was Wayne Rooney – the youngster has none of Rooney’s brawn but plenty of grace and style.
“His goal was brilliantly taken, while his post-match interview was almost more composed and impressive than his performance on the park.
“Like Rooney, this lad can play anywhere on the pitch and does so willingly. Saka signed a long-term contract last week and, having seen some of his games, I’m not surprised.”
Over the years, Arsenal have been crying out for youngsters to provide them with hope for the future and now they have a number of them floating in and around their squad.
Saka is perhaps the best of the bunch, but one thing is for sure, Arteta has an academy to play with and it might just prove to be his secret weapon in the long run.
Whilst Arsenal fans are usually disappointed with the transfer business the club conducts, they may find that the answers to their long-term problems on the field of play might just be sitting in their academy.
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