Dan Burn thinks Bukayo Saka is the toughest opponent he’s every played against, heaping praise on the Arsenal man.

Newcastle United’s Dan Burn has taken on some top opponents this season, including Phil Foden of Manchester City and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, among others.

But Burn believes Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka stands above the rest as his toughest Premier League opponent.

Speaking to Ben Foster’s podcast, Burn answered a question about the most difficult player he’s faced in the league.

“Saka, always. He’s very, very good. Because now it’s constant, you play against inverted wingers,” Burn said.

“So 20 years ago, you’d play against a right footer [at left-back], show him that side and cross it, but it’s not the end of the world. Whereas now you’re playing against wingers who, if you send them inside, they’ll come inside, they’ll shoot.

“You’re like, ‘Right, I’ll cover that’, then they take it down the line and cross it anyway. I think Saka’s up there for me as the most consistent.”

Saka has been on fire this season, directly contributing to 20 goals already, and proving a constant threat to opposition defenders.

The winger probably should have had another assist or two against Brighton on Sunday, creating a few great chances, but Arsenal were somewhat wasteful in attack on the day – despite eventually winning 2-0.

Perhaps it should be no surprise that so many players, including Burn, often resort to trying to kick the Arsenal man out of the game.