Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown have both showered Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka with praise as the Gunners continued their hunt for a top-four spot against Manchester United on Saturday. A 4-2 win against Chelsea in midweek added new life to their top-four hunt after three defeats on the bounce in the league.
Saka was involved throughout the game and made the points safe from the penalty spot in injury time after being fouled by Cesar Azpilicueta in the penalty area. An Eddie Nketiah double and a sweet strike from Emile Smith Rowe had already put Mikel Arteta's men in the ascendancy. He added another goal from the spot in the first half against Manchester United before unfortunately being withdrawn with an injury.
Both legendary Premier League defenders spoke highly of the winger in the build-up to the match on Saturday. Both singled out Saka's attitude as one of his most impressive qualities.
"He is a player that keeps on producing," Keown said during BT Sport's build up of the game. "Whenever he gets on the ball, the amount of things he creates, everything happens through him and he is an outstanding player. He can embarrass opponents when he plays against them, he has everything you need as a young player.
"Still talks to a lot of the former players, he loves the club and when you bring kids through the system, they have got that extra link to the club and maybe there is that extra 10% and that is certainly happening here at the moment."
Saka faced the lowest moment of his career during the summer with England when, after an impressive Euro 2020, missed the penalty that handed Italy the title at Wembley. But Ferdinand believes it was a crucial moment and that the penalty scored against Chelsea will only strengthen the player further.
"I think a significant moment for him this week was the penalty," Ferdinand said. "Especially after the Euros and the aftermath after that, for him to pick that ball up and show that mental strength, the desire and the will to do that, for someone so young it is fantastic to see and what an example to those young players.
"Yes, there is downturns in football, but never shy away, show that heart and that you can come back from anything."
