‘Outstanding’ Bukayo Saka claim will delight Arsenal fans after ‘bizarre’ Messi comparison

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Journalist Jason Soutar has now spoken out in defence of Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.

Bukayo Saka has been in excellent form for Arsenal in recent weeks.

The Hale End academy graduate has netted four times in his last three outings, as he scored against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool before bagging a brace against West Ham United last time out. Against the Hammers, Saka even reached a personal milestone that no Arsenal player has arrived at faster since 1978.

Saka was rightly hailed for his performance at the London Stadium, and the truth is, it is utterly exceptional what the 22-year-old has achieved already in his career. Despite his youth, the winger has already amassed 51 goals and 49 assists for the north London club, in just 210 appearances. 

He has also established himself on the international stage, too. The England man has 32 caps to his name and has scored 11 goals for his country. Saka has also played a starring role for the Three Lions in two major international tournaments, at EURO 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

Despite these remarkable feats, making himself indispensable to both Mikel Arteta and Gareth Southgate, there is still a sense that Saka does not get the respect or credit he is due, at least in the context of some of his contemporaries. 

Does Phil Foden get more credit than Bukayo Saka?

Whilst Phil Foden has recently hit a purple patch of form for Manchester City, he has been lauded in the press.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand confirmed that he considers Foden to be a world-class player.

However, the former Manchester United defender recently revealed that he does not consider Saka to be in that most elite category yet.

Jason Soutar, writing on X, has now come out to bat for the Arsenal man, saying, “Foden has a purple patch once a season where everyone waxes lyrical about him like he is the second coming of Messi. Saka has been outstanding for three years and doesn’t get the same praise. It’s so bizarre. Punditry in this country is in the gutter.”

None of this is to say that Foden does not deserve the acclaim he receives. The 23-year-old is a wonderful player. However, as part of an all-conquering Manchester City side under Pep Guardiola, he has not outshone Saka, nor has he ever had to bear the burden of carrying his team in the manner that the Arsenal man has at times. 

Both are outstanding young English talents, and both have a strong claim to be considered world-class. Arsenal fans will now be pleased to see someone speak up on behalf of Saka.