Paul Merson has hailed Bukayo Saka as a "big moment player" after the winger's starring role in England's win over Ukraine.
Saka scored a stunning goal to seal the Three Lions' second successive victory to continue their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying. It was the latest impressive performance in what has been a brilliant season for the winger, who has helped Arsenal to storm to the top of the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has scored 13 goals and notched 10 assists for the Gunners this campaign. His performances have marked him out as one of the top-flight's best players, with Arsenal legend Merson now highlighting the talents that make him so highly-rated.
"Bukayo Saka was outstanding against Ukraine. He gave Vitalii Mykolenko a torrid afternoon at Wembley. Saka is a big moment player, and he produces at crucial times in big football matches," Merson told Sky Sports.
"He's not the player that gets a hat-trick against a side bottom of the league or he's not grabbing the seventh goal in a 7-0 win. At Arsenal, he's getting the first goal, the equaliser or the winner. He's getting assists at crucial moments.
"He's a big occasion player and there are not a lot of them around. There are players that will do a lot of things in games, but they won't be in the most important part of the game. Saka does do that, however, on a weekly basis."
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Saka's goal against Ukraine was particularly impressive, with the Gunners star cutting in from the right before curling a stunning shot past keeper Anatolii Trubin from outside the box.
He will now return to Arsenal ahead of the return of the Premier League, with the Gunners facing Leeds on Saturday. They have just 10 games remaining to hold onto their lead at the top of the league.
And Merson tipped the 21-year-old to continue playing a key part for Mikel Arteta's men. But he did warn Saka that he may face adversity in the coming years as defenders figure out his playing style.
"He's been turning it on for Arsenal all season with the goals and assists he's got. I can't talk highly enough of the lad. He's improved immensely and I don't mean improved because he now goes past four or five players, but it's his end product," Merson added.
"He's got a great calmness about him. He's only 21, there's plenty more to come from him. He won't play his best football until he's 26, 27 or 28. The problem he will find is because of the position he plays he will find things harder at some stage.
"He will have to change his game again to combat that, but he has the temperament to handle that. But he just loves football. All he wants is to play football and he plays the game with a smile on his face. He has all the ingredients to go as far as he wants in the game."
