Stephen Warnock has claimed that Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is an ‘absolute diamond’ of a player, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports.
But the former Premier League left-back added that the ‘problem’ Arsenal face is that there will be suitors for their 20-year-old star.
Arsenal are pushing for a return to the Champions League, with Saka, as he proved over the weekend against Watford, playing a key part in them surging into fourth spot.
Given that Saka is a boyhood Gooner and a Hale-End academy product, it would be one hell of a surprise if he departed any time soon.
But given the qualities Saka has in his locker, and if Arsenal don’t secure fourth spot in the Premier League table, then Warnock fears that others will come knocking for his talents or he might even push to play at a higher level.
“This guy is an absolute diamond of a player,” said Warnock. “When you watch him, you think, he can run with the ball. Press. Get back. Tactically outstanding.
“He keeps on getting better and better. Now, we are finding with him is that, he has got a position on the pitch. When he first broke in at Arsenal, you would look at him and think, ‘is he a left-back? Left midfielder? A right-winger? What’s his best position?’
“Now, you are seeing him on a consistent level playing on that right-hand side of the Arsenal front three. I think he’s brilliant. But, he will have suitors and that’s the problem Arsenal have.
“What’s the valuation on him? What’s his ambition? We are seeing, at the moment, with Declan Rice there is a lot of talk about wanting to play Champions League football. Wanting to win trophies. He will be no different.”
Given Saka’s love for Arsenal and the fact that they are progressing, even if they don’t secure Champions League football, then it would still be a surprise to see him leave.
But that hasn’t stopped the likes of Liverpool from seemingly expressing their love and interest for the player.
In truth, those at Arsenal should take this as a compliment, that a club thriving like Liverpool are now, find Saka to be one of the top talents in the country.
The England international, who has just left his teen years, has already hit eight Premier League goals this season.
To possibly get into double figures at that age and when you aren’t an out-and-out centre-forward is quite something.
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