Lee Dixon has revealed that people at Arsenal have been absolutely raving about Bukayo Saka – both as a player and as a person.
Saka’s emergence as a future star has been one of the rare bright things about an otherwise fairly dismal season for the Gunners, who sit ninth in the Premier League table.
The 18-year-old is a first-team regular under Mikel Arteta and drew a line under speculation regarding his future earlier this month by signing a new long-term contract, having been linked with a move to Liverpool during 2020.
The Hale End graduate has managed four goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the North Londoners this season.
And speaking to NBC Sport as co-commentator of Arsenal’s North London derby defeat at Tottenham, Dixon said that Saka’s football and human qualities have seen him become a very popular figure around the place at London Colney.
The club’s former defender said: “I know a couple members of staff at the club still and they say he’s an absolute dream to work with. He’s a really lovely lad, very humble. What a talent.”
Arteta made a surprising decision to leave Saka on the bench today, only bringing him on midway through the second half.
The teenager had scored one and set up another in each of his last two games for Arsenal, but this is all part of his football education and no doubt he’ll have learned something – if only about himself – after being dropped for Nicolas Pepe.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
