Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has named Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka as the toughest attacker he has played in the Premier League as he is ‘always’ a nightmare.
The 22-year-old Hale End hero has troubled Burn whenever Newcastle have faced Arsenal. Saka has left the 31-year-old chasing shadows as he is so consistent with offering full-backs a problem. He can also cause defenders huge issues down the flank and by cutting inside.
Burn believes Saka is the perfect example of the modern winger with his ability to cause full-backs endless problems. Unlike 20 years ago, full-backs cannot rely on showing wingers like Saka inside to hope they do not cross as they will not need a second invitation to try a shot.
Newcastle United’s Dan Burn praises Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka
Saka has met Burn eight times through their respective careers so far with Arsenal facing the left-back four times apiece for Brighton & Hove Albion and for Newcastle. The Gunners have also won three of those contests and drawn two. While Saka has two assists in those games.
All of Saka’s assists against Burn came during the Blyth natives’ time at Brighton. But while the Arsenal academy product has not influenced many goals, Saka has given Burn a problem to the point he quickly named the 22-year-old as his toughest Premier League opponent yet.
“Yeah, Saka, always,” Burn said on The Fozcast Podcast. “I think he’s very, very good. Just the way that he can because now, like, it’s constant [that] you play against inverted wingers.
“So, like, 20 years ago you play against a right footer. Show him the side, he’ll cross it but it’s not the end of the world. Whereas now you’re playing against wingers who if you send them inside, ‘Yeah, I’ll come inside [and] I’ll shoot’.
“You’re like, ‘Oh right, I’ll cover that’. ‘Yeah, it’s fine, I’ll take it down the line and I can cross it anyways’. So, yeah, I think Saka’s up there for me as, like, the most consistent.”
Bukayo Saka is the Premier League’s fifth-most productive player
Saka enters this weekend as the Premier League’s fifth-most productive player in 16 games. Only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah (18), Ollie Watkins (16) and Heung-Min Son (14) have influenced more goals than Saka (12). The Arsenal talent has scored five and assisted seven.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has further seen Saka score three and assist four goals during the Champions League group stage. He also offered an assist during the Community Shield back in August against Manchester City. His efforts take him to 20 goal contributions in 22 games.
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