Former Arsenal academy manager Andries Jonker has revealed that Arsenal coaches questioned the technical ability of Bukayo Saka before the intervention of Freddie Ljungberg.
Blessed with physical attributes, Saka is a modern day definition of a wing player as he is capable of playing all the roles on the left wing and he cemented his place in the Gunners first team after impressing at left-back under manager Ljungberg.
With Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolašinac returning to full fitness after the season restarted, Saka is now back playing in his more natural position.
"Bukayo was another story," Jonker told Mirror Football.
"He was a left winger, always long, tall and strong and could run faster than his team-mates or the opponents, shoot harder than them.
"It was such a physical advantage that we questioned whether he was that good. Because of his physical advantage, it was easy to doubt whether he was really a good player technically.
"Then Freddie Ljungberg made him a full-back, and he did it and showed how good he really is."
"He was a left winger, always long, tall and strong and could run faster than his team-mates or the opponents, shoot harder than them.
"It was such a physical advantage that we questioned whether he was that good. Because of his physical advantage, it was easy to doubt whether he was really a good player technically.
"Then Freddie Ljungberg made him a full-back, and he did it and showed how good he really is."
Despite a breakout season with the Gunners, Saka has shown defensive frailties when deployed at left-back and has been yellow carded seven times in 37 matches.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : arsenal.com
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