Rio Ferdinand has told BT Sport that he believes every single one of Arsenal’s senior players will want Mikel Arteta to start Bukayo Saka now.
Saka may be one of the youngest members of Arsenal’s first team squad, at the age of 19, but his importance to the side just keeps increasing.
The youngster scored and claimed an assist for Arsenal last night, as they beat Southampton 3-1.
And Ferdinand believes that Saka has made such an impact that all his Arsenal teammates will believe that he always belongs in their starting line-up now.
He said: “In terms of performances, yeah [he is a leader]. In terms of vocally I think he’ll be one of the guys who sits there and follows and looks at others.
“In terms of performances and output, well… The senior players will be looking at him thinking ‘he needs to start, I hope he’s in the team’.
“What he’s doing is more than most in that team. His value cannot go unnoticed. I’m sure Arteta knows his value to this team.”
Saka is currently keeping the likes of far more experienced, Willian, and the club’s record signing, Nicolas Pepe, out of the side.
Although Pepe did feature last night, he played off the left -with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang out – with Saka taking his spot down the right hand side.
There will surely be no danger of Saka losing his place in Arsenal’s team any time soon, either, as his performances just seem to go from strength to strength, despite all the adulation he is receiving.
Arsenal and Saka will next be in action again at the weekend, when they take on Manchester United.
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