Bukayo Saka has enjoyed an amazing start to his footballing career, and Roy Keane has labelled him Arsenal’s ‘big plus’ over the past year.
The soon-to-be 20 year-old has already established himself as a regular in the England team, as well as becoming a key player for a big club like Arsenal despite his early years, and Keane has been impressed by a lot of things he has seen from our wonderkid, describing him as the club’s ‘big plus’ in our recent history.
“He has been the big plus for Arsenal over the last 12 months,” Keane said on Sky Sports Super Sunday coverage(via HITC) prior to the kick-offs. “Whatever criticism they have been getting, I think he got Player of the Year last season.
“He forced his way into the England team. Outstanding. I have seen on a number of times his interviews now and he speaks really, really well.
“At 19, he is just a child. But these experiences will help him in the long run.
“Obviously, the reaction to the penalty miss and the abuse he got is unacceptable and disgraceful. But it will also make him a stronger person.”
While Saka definitely ranks as our biggest positive note in our recent history, I can’t help but believe that Emile Smith Rowe is an understated member of our first-team squad also, with his potential matching that of Saka.
I firmly believe that Smith Rowe can play as important a role in our future as Bukayo can, and the pair should both be considered as a ‘big plus’ to the club.
Should Saka and Smith Rowe both be aiming for key roles under Gareth Southgate at next year’s World Cup? Does ESR deserve more credit than he gets?
Patrick
Let’s aknowledge that he was on fault for both goals by letting down KT and and forgetting his defensive duties.That’s being saïd young players are often tactically naïve and subject to errors,therfore i agree with RK .
he needs a proper coach now to keep improving. He had a poor game yesterday, but no doubt a manager with tactical nuance would’ve corrected the issue much more swiftly. And just imagine Saka under a proper manager as well. He’s done so well with one who is not up for it.
i firmly believe that ESR is going backwards. he should have been substituted yesterday as i believe he is not a 90 minute player. he was absolutely shagged in the second half. thats why, sadly, i dont believe he will ever be as big as a lot of people make out he is going to be. i hope i am very wrong.
@gerry burke
Astute observation Gooner. He burns out quite quickly, doesn’t know how to pace himself. Saw the same in Gnabry, though Serge has gotten a bit better at reserving his energy. Maybe in time so will young Emile…
NY GUNNER, i certainally hope ESR will last longer as he gets older. he is a great addition to the team as it stands, but nowhere near world class as some people say. maybe some day though, would love nothing better.thanks for agreeing with my comment, i was expecting the guillotine to be honest.
I too noticed that one instance towards the end of the game, after being dispossessed, he was a bit hesitant to track back and win the ball. Like you’ve said, he’ll learn to manage his energy to last the 90+ minutes as he gets older. But, I believe, that may also be due to mental burden than physical. Losing the opening two games in the league must be weighing him down heavily.
Saka and ESR must be aiming to further cement their places in the Arsenal starting XI right now. World Cup must be the least of their worries.
ESR already got the credits he deserves when he was handed a contract extension and a spot in the starting XI. He needs to perform at the highest level consistently to deserve further credits. The same applies to other youngsters like Saka, Tierney and Martinelli.