Rio Ferdinand has praised Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal ace ran Sevilla ragged in their 2-0 win on Wednesday night, even likening the Hale End icon’s talent to Arjen Robben.
The 22-year-old was one of their stars of the show as the Gunners returned to winning ways at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal welcomed Sevilla to north London after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this term. But Saka helped to the 2-0 win with a goal and an assist.
Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Saka set Leandro Trossard up for a tap-in. The Belgian fired home the opening goal of the night after a superb ball from Jorginho to release Saka. The England ace then laid the ball on a plate for Trossard to net a simple strike.
Saka inspired Arsenal to a win at home to Sevilla
Assisting Trossard took Saka to seven for the season so far, before scoring his sixth goal this term already. The 30-cap international doubled the Gunners’ lead over Los Nervionenses in the 64th minute. He coolly cut back onto his favoured left foot before finding the far corner.
Saka timed his run to perfection to avoid falling offside before Gabriel Martinelli fed the ball through. He charged away from Nemanja Gudelj before cutting behind the centre-back for a clear sight of the goal. The winger’s strike then left Marko Dmitrovic helpless to make a save.
Saka draws comparisons to Robben by Ferdinand
It was a trademark finish by Saka, who loves cutting inside onto his favoured left foot before scoring for Arsenal. His style even reminds Ferdinand of Robben, who made himself an icon with Bayern Munich and for the Netherlands by cutting inside and producing exquisite goals.
Ferdinand does not feel Saka is fully at the same level as Robben yet. The 96-cap Dutchman won two Premier League titles at Chelsea, eight Bundesliga titles at Bayern Munich and a La Liga title at Real Madrid. But given Saka is still only 22, the Arsenal star astounds Ferdinand.
“He has been in ridiculous form for a long period of time now for such a young player,” said Ferdinand on TNT Sports during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sevilla. “Defenders should never be allowing him back on his left foot.
“I’m not saying he’s anywhere near Robben yet but certain players always want to get back on their left foot. And you know it’s coming. But they are so good at disguising and trickery that they manage to do it.”
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