TNT Sports experts Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown were gushing in their praise of Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, who scored a resplendent chip over Thibaut Courtois in Arsenal's 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu over defending UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid. Gabriel Martinelli scored their second goal to send them through 5-1 on aggregate and book a semi-final date with Paris-Saint Germain
Saka, in terms of defining and being decisive," Ferdinand began.
"I've debated it quite a lot over the years about, 'Is he world-class?' 100%.
"A footballer of the highest caliber who will now decide matches for the rest of his career at the highest level. "They have prevailed today. I understand that it is only one game over two. But it's an opportunity to consider, "Okay, I'm at the top table, and I'm actually sitting here comfortably, and I've overshadowed the people who were meant to be better than me." "It's a great boost to my confidence." Martin Keown was equally gushing about Saka, praising the winger for making such a huge impact, having only recently come back from injury.
He went on to say, "You look at the context we put it into, without a striker." "Havertz injured, Jesus out, Saka 101 days or so to get him back. He comes back just in time, just two weeks ago, and he's performing like this, it's incredible.
"But the team performance really stood out, the low-block. The two wingers. With Arteta's tenure, I believe Martinelli and Saka deserve a lot of credit because they have really stood up for him, and it was fitting that they scored the two goals tonight. "There's some way to go, PSG next, let's bring it on. But they're a very healthy team at the moment. Therefore, Arsenal will return, but this is a fantastic night for them. To return next year, they must win the Premier League. This is potentially the aspect of Saka's game that sparks so much debate - and indeed there is the question of whether it even matters when all is said and done. Even though Saka is extremely talented, his technique is not as seamless as that of Vinicius Jr., Leroy Sane, or, of course, Lionel Messi. But we all know being polished on the ball does not necessarily make you more productive or effective. There are a host of players past and present who are considered world-class despite not possessing balletic, Zinedine Zidane-esque touch and motion, with Mohamed Salah perhaps tantamount among them.
It may count for little statistically, but in the eyes of 'Football Twitter', appearances count for a lot, and that counts against Saka here.
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