Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand is urging Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta to build his team around three players under the age of 21 - Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Joe Willock.

Saka ended speculation about his future at the North London club earlier this week when he signed a long-term contract.

The Hale End Academy product has established himself as one of the key players in the Arsenal team this season, and has contributed to 13 goals (3 goals, 10 assists) in 33 appearances across all competitions.

Capable of playing as a left-back, left winger, left wing-back and midfielder, Saka's versatility makes one of the players that cannot be ignored by Mikel Arteta.

In quotes carried by The Sport Review citing BT Sport, Ferdinand stated : "I think the great thing about Saka, and seeing his tweet there and his statement when he was talking there, is that he loves the club and he believes in the philosophy and he wants to move forward with the club and improve here.

"They’ve got to get more players to build around that. And I’d build this club around him, around [Gabriel] Martinelli, and around [Joe] Willock.

"These young players that have come through and the badge means something to these young boys.

"And they need players around that to build within that as well, to understand that, to come in and accept that this is the place they want to be and they believe in the management and they want to go forward together."

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com