Arsenal boast one of the best young forwards in the world in Bukayo Saka, a player who’s already clocked up 250 appearances for the Gunners at just 23 years of age.
Saka came through the ranks at Arsenal before being promoted to the first-team and becoming one of the team’s standout players, along with starring for England.
The Hale End graduate’s Arsenal record reads 250 appearances, 67 goals and 64 assists, while his England tally reads 32 caps, 12 goals and seven assists.
Darren Bent has now shared what he’s spotted about Saka that is a “worry for Arsenal” upon which they need to act accordingly.
Darren Bent says Arsenal need to match Bukayo Saka’s ambitions
Bent believes Saka is on par with Real Madrid star Rodrygo and could very much “hold his own” with the Brazil international.
The Gunners boyhood fan believes the fact Saka is “good enough to play for anyone” will be a “worry for Arsenal”, who need to take steps to tie him down to a new long-term deal.
“I look at Real Madrid and I think there’s no way you can look at Rodrygo and say he’s better than Saka. I like Rodrygo, but Saka could hold his own with him,” Bent said on talkSPORT.
“You’re seeing the importance of Saka to Arsenal right now. Saka’s going to be looking at that. He might be like ‘no, Arsenal’s my life, I don’t care where anyone else comes, that’s where I’m staying.’
“But he’s good enough to play for anyone and that’s a worry for Arsenal, which is why I’ve said before with the likes of (William) Saliba, Saka, you have to match their ambition.”
What Andrea Berta has in mind for Bukayo Saka
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Andrea Berta will be tasked with finalising new deals for Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba immediately.
Sorting out new deals for three of Mikel Arteta’s key performers is seen as a priority by Berta and Arsenal’s team.
All three currently have contracts that run until 2027 and Arsenal are offering the trio pay increases to put them close to top-earner Kai Havertz.
Arsenal have done well in tying key players down to long-term deals in recent years, a far cry from the Gunners outfit that often saw stars’ contracts enter the last 12 months.
Berta is already on the case and hopefully a positive conclusion will be reached in the coming weeks or months.
