LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Aubameyang explains why Saka will go straight to the top

Jul 12, 2020

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang thinks Bukayo Saka will go straight to the top, thanks largely to his humble attitude and desire to improve.

Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on July 4, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) — Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring on July 4, 2020. (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Whether under Unai Emery, Freddie Ljungberg or Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka is one of the (few) Arsenal success stories this season, and club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is well aware of that.

Sky Sports asked Aubameyang where Saka ranks among the young talents he’s played with.

“For sure, he is one of the best,” the striker said. “What I like about him is that he’s always listening for advice from us, the experienced players, and I really like it.

“He’s really humble and he always wants to go forward, learn more and try to improve his game.

“He’s 18 so that’s not a lot of time [in the first team] but as I said to him, most importantly he needs to enjoy it because at this age to be at this club, it’s really special. He just has to continue like this, keep improving and I’m sure he will go straight to the top.”

Saka started the season getting chances under Emery, playing on the left-wing and impressing in early matches away to Frankfurt and Manchester United.

After that, Saka shifted to left-back for the last couple of games of Ljungberg’s tenure. His goal and assist against Standard Liege helped Arsenal top their Europa League group.

Arteta didn’t have much choice but to use the teenager at first, with Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac out. But even after that, the head coach kept finding ways to include the academy graduate.

Saka continued to play some games at left-back, but others at wing-back, left-wing and right-wing. He even got his first senior games as a central midfielder. Now, he’s a vital part of the squad, wherever he plays.