According to recent CIES Football Observatory research, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka ranks right up there with Kylian Mbappe, the star forward for Paris Saint-Germain.
Ironically, a free gift found in the streets of Ealing may turn out to be the most priceless diamond of them all in a world where footballers costing £100 million are becoming the norm. The young age of Bukayo Saka, who was recently named England’s player of the year for a second straight season, is frightening.
Since he was seven years old, Arsenal has employed the academy graduate. He is a true Gooner and has embodied everything admirable about this Arsenal team since Mikel Arteta’s arrival.
Despite his stock rising by the day, Saka is direct, vivacious, and not afraid to take a chance. He maintains his groundedness and is not someone who will soon start causing shocks on the front pages. While Unai Emery gave him his professional debut in 2018, Arteta is the one who has elevated him to a leader in North London
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Since assuming control nearly five years ago, the Spaniard’s strategy has placed a strong emphasis on youth-confidence. Few recall that last season, with an average age of 25.2, Arsenal had by far the youngest Premier League team and led the way until Manchester City’s Goliath closed closer
Saka, a player for England, paid tribute to his coach in April, only weeks before signing a lengthy four-year contract. He expressed his happiness on the club’s website, saying: “I’ve learned a lot and I’m going in the correct direction. I must appreciate (Arteta) for all that he has taught me because a large part of how I am growing is due to what he is doing for me.
You have to be prepared for everything, and that’s something I’ve tried to do: be ready for each situation and make an effort to enjoy it.
Because to Arteta’s perseverance in nurturing a local talent, Arsenal now has a player as important as Kylian Mbappe under contract. Saka would get the same transfer fee as the phenomenon at Paris Saint-Germain, according to the CIES Football Observatory, an independent research organization that analyses football data and analytics, with both players valued at €200 million.
Even though Mbappe still has one year left on his contract and is favored to win the Ballon d’Or once the Lionel Messi dynasty ends, such assessment still demonstrates the water Saka is now in. Only Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior (both valued at €250 million) were ranked higher than the Arsenal winger, who shared third place with Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Rodri.
Arsenal may have spent a lot of money in recent years, but one of their own is now leading the charge to revive the club. Most teams could only hope to develop a young player in the mold of Mbappe.