‘SAKA IS BEST KID IN PREM’
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE has hailed team-mate Bukayo Saka as the best young player in the Premier League.
The Arsenal striker spoke as the teenage wideman outlined the story behind his determination to reach the first team – as his colleagues in the junior ranks fell by the wayside.
Saka, 18, provided the assist which enabled Lacazette to give the Gunners a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg of their Europa League tie against Olympiakos tonight.
Lacazette, 28, (with Saka, above) said: “He’s really good, maybe the best young player in the league.
“He needs to improve a few things, but you can see the quality he has. The best thing for him is to be involved.
“He wants to work and accepts criticism because he wants to improve.”
Asked what places Saka as the top youngster in a league that boasts the likes of Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams, plus Tottenham’s Ryan Sessegnon, France star Lacazette added: “It’s simple, his quality. He’s got a good left foot. And because he is so humble, it’s easier for him to improve.”
And Saka gave an insight into the work he has put in to make his breakthrough.
He said: “I just enjoyed playing, but I don’t think I ever really thought I was going to make it to the first team until I actually signed my first professional contract when I turned 17.
“You go through the youth teams, year by year, and you see all these great players around you – some of them could be the best in the year – and slowly they are all let go, to other clubs or even stopping completely.
“So you could never be sure that you would make it, but what I said to myself is that I would always give my best in every single session.
“I always wanted to learn to get better, I watched a lot of football to see how I could improve. I was determined to make the first team.”
ARSENAL: Leno, Sokratis, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka, Guendouzi, Torreira, Willock, Aubameyang, Martinelli, Lacazette OLYMPIAKOS: Sa, Elabdellaoui, Cisse, Ba, Tsimikas, Fortounis, Guilherme, Camara, Masouras, El-arabi, Valbuena