'That Role Suits Him Really Well' - Arsenal Legend Backs Saka For Permanent Left-back Role

Legendary Arsenal fullback Nigel Winterburn is backing Nigeria-eligible winger Bukayo Saka to be permanently converted to a left-back.

Injuries to experienced left-backs Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolašinac led the Arsenal coaches Freddie Ljungberg and Mikel Arteta to introduce the Hale End Academy product to an unnatural position as he has been a winger growing up through the Arsenal ranks.

Winterburn thinks Saka has a future at left-back and highlighted that the teenager has all the traits of an attacking fullback.

"That role suits him really well. I don't know whether he wants to be a wide left player or a winger in the future, maybe he could switch between both positions if needed but you just look what he has achieved," said Winterburn to
 The Chronicles of a Gooner - Arsenal Podcast.

"I remember going to cover a game for the U21s with Freddie Ljungberg in charge at the time and I managed to have a quick chat with him about players coming through and who he saw would be the player that would make the step up into the first team eventually and would be a huge hit and Bukayo Saka was the one that was talked about.

"In terms of what he's done at left-back, it's absolutely incredible. He's adapted and what I love that he's doing is moving forward and coming onto the ball and he's almost not being marked.

"He's so dangerous when he's in possession of the ball and his quality of some of the crosses he's put in for some of the goals has been absolutely sensational."

Of his 29 appearances for Arsenal's first team so far this season, Saka was utilised as a left-back in fifteen matches, including eleven in the English Premier League.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com