Saka has enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign with the Gunners, racking up two goals and seven assists in his opening seven appearances of the Premier League season.
After setting up Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s victory over Southampton, Saka stands alone as the top assist-maker in Europe’s top five leagues.
This weekend, Saka will no doubt be desperate to add to his impressive tally against Bournemouth. However, the attacker was forced off with a hamstring problem in England’s Nations League defeat to Greece and there are some doubts surrounding his involvement.
But the 23-year-old is reportedly confident of returning to full fitness in time for Saturday’s contest at the Vitality Stadium, where Arsenal will look to make it five wins on the bounce in all competitions.
‘You look at Bukayo, I love him as a player. I love him as a person, firstly, but I love him as a player,’ former Manchester United and England winger Beckham said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
‘Everything that he represents as a footballer, not just on the field but off the field as well, he’s trying to make a difference in many different areas. But you know that he’s focused on his play as well. That’s what I love about him.’
Saka wears the No.7 shirt at club level just as Beckham did with Manchester United and England during his playing days.
‘He’s a great No.7 but obviously I’ve been so lucky over my career,’ Beckham continued.
‘When I was at United I wore the No.7 for a long time and I was lucky that I followed in the footsteps of people that I looked up to, my heroes, someone like George Best.
‘Then you look at Eric [Cantona] and Bryan Robson, Bryan Robson was a hero of mine so to follow in their footsteps was always a dream of mine and to wear the No.7 for England…
‘I never got to wear it when I went to Real Madrid but I never wanted it at Real Madrid purely because it’s Raul. Nobody takes that No.7 off of Raul and I wasn’t even going to attempt that.
‘But the No.7 shirt has always been special to me.’
Fans and pundits have been falling over themselves to lavish praise on Saka at this early stage of the season, including Ian Wright, who believes the forward remains ‘underrated’ despite his phenomenal form.
‘He’s constantly being compared to different players and what they’re doing but his consistency since he’s been in the team has been amazing,’ the ex-England and Arsenal striker said on Optus Sport’s The Kelly & Wrighty show earlier this month.
‘At the moment, out of the top five leagues, he’s got the most assists and people do ask about how good he is.
‘But I’m not really fussed in that respect because, on a regular basis, from the time he’s been in there, and remember he’s only 23, he’s still delivering top performances with creation, defensive work and everything he does for the team.
‘One thing we all worry about at Arsenal is the amount of games he plays and hopefully he doesn’t break down.
‘But when you look at him, he’s doing everything that we all expect him to do and that’s why, maybe, it’s underrated.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : Son Heung-min injury update issued by Ange Postecoglou ahead of Tottenham vs West Ham
MORE : Real Madrid plot January transfer move for Chelsea starlet who has ‘personality’
MORE : Romelu Lukaku mocks criticism he endured at Manchester United and Chelsea
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
