“If I had to choose a player who is playing better, scoring and assisting better than Saka right now, I can only think of one named Lionel Messi,” Adams wrote on the Sun. “Saka’s high form right now is why Arsenal are top of the table. Erling Haaland can score hundreds of goals for Man City, Marcus Rashford may be playing explosively, but Saka is the best player this season. play England’s best at the 2022 World Cup, and make a big contribution to Arsenal’s position.”
Bukayo Saka scored twice when Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-2 at Emirates Stadium, London, in the English Premier League on October 9, 2022.
Adams was born in London in 1966 and spent 19 years playing for Arsenal, from 1983 to 2002. Saka was also born in London, having been with Arsenal since the age of seven. Adams said he was surprised when Man City broke the UK transfer record in the summer of 2021 for Jack Grealish, without trying to recruit Saka. He understands the 22-year-old midfielder is loyal to Arsenal, but advises the team to add more high-class players to keep Saka.
“In 1996, I would have gone to Man Utd if Arsenal hadn’t signed Nicolas Anelka or Patrick Vieira,” Adams said. “Arsenal should not take Saka’s loyalty for granted. The team was eliminated in the Europa League with a reserve team, when their level was just average. Arsenal need Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko play every game, because they don’t have other players to choose from.”
Saka emerged at Arsenal in the 2019-2020 season as a left-back. Adams said he was angry because coach Gareth Southgate, Unai Emery or Mikel Arteta often used Saka in this position during his debut. He thinks that Saka will contribute more to the team in attack. “I was also surprised when Southgate replaced Saka when England needed a goal against France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup,” he added. “He’s not only talented, he’s also smart.”
Saka has scored 17 goals and assisted 12 times in 50 games for Arsenal and England this season. The 22-year-old midfielder shines on the right wing, with the ability to dribble, create and score goals. In the last match for England, Saka set up Harry Kane’s opening goal, before shooting from afar to seal a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in Euro qualifying.
