Freddie Ljungberg told Super Sunday on Sky Sports that he had to tell Bukayo Saka to ‘calm down a little’ in Arsenal training because he works so hard.
The former Arsenal coach shared that he started working with the now thriving first-teamer when he was 15, as he labelled the academy product as ‘very, very clever’.
Not only is Saka the first name on Arsenal’s team sheet, but he is also an England international and he should be heading for the Euros in the summer.
Ljungberg shared what the versatile star is like on the training field and the conversations he has had with him.
“I think he was 15 when I started coaching him,” said Ljungberg. “It has just been a pleasure. Coming and asking questions all the time, if there is something he cannot do, he won’t be shy or scared from it.
“He will come in and say ‘can we practise that little bit extra’ or ‘show me some clips of what I am doing wrong’. Very, very clever and I am so happy for him.
“100%, he trains really right. I had this chat with him when he was really young and I said ‘that’s what you need to do to be a top player’. Since that day, he works so hard.
“You almost have to tell him ‘calm down a little bit we have a game’. It’s a pleasure to be a coach for a player like that.”
It’s not only Saka who is making a name for himself on the big stage but Emile Smith Rowe is another one coming through.
It has to be questioned how many more talented players Mikel Arteta can bring through during the coming years and whether he will get the time to do that.
Both Smith Rowe and Saka, given their performances this season, have saved Arsenal’s millions in having to dip into the market and sign a creative or versatile forward-thinking player.
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