Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has refused to rule out the possibility of Nigerian wonderkid Bukayo Saka displacing summer signing from Celtic, Kieran Tierney as Arsenal's starting left-back.
Manager Mikel Arteta continues to play Saka in the left-back role following the injuries suffered by Tierney and Sead Kolasinac, and the Hale End Academy has earned rave reviews playing out of position, most recently against Bournemouth in which he scored and provided an assist in a 2-1 win.
Tierney has been unavailable for selection after dislocating his right shoulder last month and is not expected to return to full training until March.
Speaking to BT Sport after the Gunners clash with the Cherries, Ferdinand said : "Arsenal invested in Tierney so Tierney will come back from injury and he will be looking to get himself back in there.
"What this does is this infuses the Academy players that are coming through, if there are injuries you'll get the opportunity and if you produce the goods Mikel Arteta will keep you in".
"What this does is this infuses the Academy players that are coming through, if there are injuries you'll get the opportunity and if you produce the goods Mikel Arteta will keep you in".
Ferdinand went on to lavish praise on Saka following his Man of the Match performance against Bournemouth, highlighting that the teenager has positional awareness.
"I think Saka needs special mention, this kid has been a breath of fresh air coming in.
"How quick he is, he's confident as well, he plays the ball forward when he gets it, runs forward and the positions he is taking up.
"That's what I've liked so much about since Arteta has been in, the positions that these young players are taking up and playing in, you can see the coaching coming out in them immediately and that's a great trait for someone so young as a manager,'' he added.
"How quick he is, he's confident as well, he plays the ball forward when he gets it, runs forward and the positions he is taking up.
"That's what I've liked so much about since Arteta has been in, the positions that these young players are taking up and playing in, you can see the coaching coming out in them immediately and that's a great trait for someone so young as a manager,'' he added.
So far this season, Saka has been involved in 22 first team appearances for the Gunners, scoring three goals and has six assists to his name.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : arsenal.com
Comments 0
Leave a Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!