Speaking to The Design Museum to celebrate the launch of its new exhibition, Football: Designing the Beautiful Game, Ray Parlour has been chatting about Bukayo Saka.
The winger has been Arsenal’s brightest spark this season, and he looks to be on a path right to the very top of world football.
However, in the summer it looked as though things could turn out so differently.
The winger missed the crucial penalty at Euro 2020, costing England the chance to win the tournament, and Parlour says that he was worried about the impact such a moment could have had on his career.
However, Saka has bounced back brilliantly, and now the Arsenal legend says that he will become world-class.
What’s been said?
Parlour was speaking about Saka.
“Bukayo Saka is a really great character and he is someone who would be a welcome addition to any dressing room in world football. He missed a crucial penalty for England in the final of the European Championships and I was worried how that might impact his career moving forwards, but this year has shown how mentally strong he is. Saka has been brilliant for Arsenal all season and there has been no sign of a hangover from what I’m sure would have been a very difficult time for him. He’s chipped in with goals, provided valuable assists and he’s proven his versatility once again,” Parlour said.
“I think Saka can become anything he wants to be. If he continues on his current journey, he will become a world-class player in a few years. I know he has the drive to push himself and he’s always looking for ways to improve his game. I’m sure Mikel Arteta is challenging him every day and hopefully Arsenal will reap the rewards of that for a long time to come.”
Incredible mentality
Saka has shown an incredible mentality to bounce back from the setback he suffered in the summer.
So many players are never the same after such a disappointment. Look at the likes of Loris Karius after the 2018 Champions League final and Paul Robinson after his mistake against Croatia. One mistake can ruin a career.
Luckily though, Saka hasn’t allowed that to happen, and he’s on his way to becoming a superstar.
Ray Parlour was speaking to the Design Museum to celebrate the launch of its new exhibition, Football: Designing the Beautiful Game, on Friday 8th April. Tickets are available to purchase from today: designmuseum.org/designingfootball
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