Speaking on Vibe with Five, Rio Ferdinand has been waxing-lyrical about Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe after their performances in the north London derby this weekend.
Saka and Smith Rowe ran the game against Tottenham. They grabbed a goal and an assist each and they were simply unplayable on the day.
With both players being in their early 20s, they could be key players for Arsenal for the next decade, and Ferdinand believes that the Gunners can’t afford to lose either player, claiming that the London club have to build around them.
What’s been said?
Ferdinand claimed Arsenal have to build around Saka and Smith Rowe.
“I said before the game, if Aubameyang scores and has an influence on the game you guys are a different team. Again, he scores the goal, but Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, they were just sublime, especially in the first-half. They were clinical, an assist and a goal each. You have to build around these kids man, you have to keep them at the club for starters and they have to build around them with the right players with the right DNA,” Ferdinand said.
Easier said than done
Ferdinand is absolutely right, Arsenal should be doing all they can to keep hold of these two players, but that is easier said than done.
The reality is that Arsenal aren’t a top European club these days and Saka and Smith Rowe are two players good enough to play for genuine Champions League contenders one day.
As much as the Hale End graduates may love playing for Arsenal, if the Gunners don’t get back challenging for the top titles soon, Saka and Smith Rowe may find themselves courted by the biggest sides in Europe, and when those teams come knocking, it’s very hard to say no.
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