Rio Ferdinand has been discussing Bukayo Saka’s strengths and weaknesses during the November international break.
Mikel Arteta will be delighted that Saka made it through the international break unscathed amid Arsenal’s growing injury crisis.
While Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a groin injury with Brazil, and Riccardo Calafiori withdrew from duty, Saka will return to Arsenal fit and firing, having impressed in England’s wins over Serbia and Albania.
The winger scored a terrific goal against Serbia to further cement his spot at the forefront of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans, but Rio Ferdinand now wants even more from the 24-year-old.
Rio Ferdinand wants to see Bukayo Saka change one thing
With high standards come high demands, which is what Ferdinand has just issued to Saka amid his building form for club and country.
Tuchel wants Saka to score more goals for England, a plea that the Hale End product answered over the November break, but Ferdinand’s demand is something entirely different.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Manchester United icon didn’t hide his opinion that the Arsenal star needs to ‘do more’ in one area.
“I still want Saka to do more without the ball, running without the ball onto things,” Ferdinand admitted.
Straight after issuing his request to the winger, he turned his attention to how good Saka really is.
“But Saka, when he gets it, he’s always a threat, man. He always looks hard to play against.
“He reminds me of Salah in that he’s stronger than he looks. He’s resilient, and Saka especially makes the right decision when he gets the ball.”
It’s not the first time this season that Saka has been compared to Mohamed Salah, with all faith in the fact that the Arsenal academy graduate can further evolve.
Saka is already delivering Ferdinand’s request; the numbers prove it
To some degree, it’s ironic that Ferdinand wants to see Saka running onto the ball more often, as no player in his position does it better than the Arsenal man.
As per FBref statistics, Saka possesses the highest average of progressive passes received in the 2025/26 Premier League, averaging 12.95 per 90.
The numbers are one thing, but the evidence when it comes to how those movements translate to goals is another.
Saka’s goal against Leeds United on matchday two of the season was almost a trademark finish from the forward, who ran onto a through ball to fire the ball beyond the ‘keeper at the tightest of angles.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen Saka pull off those moves, generated by his off-ball movement being noticed by a teammate.
Last season, against Liverpool, the 24-year-old’s run beyond Andy Robertson was spotted by Ben White, who played the ball over the top for Saka to latch onto and score.
Saka’s standards are high, being one of the world’s best in his position, which is why pundits are pushing to see only the very best from Arsenal’s poster boy.
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