Arsenal’s new kid on the block, Bukayo Saka has gained a fresh waves of accolades from The Gunners’ boss, Unai Emery, as the gaffer says the Nigerian-born youngster is a ray of hope for the future.
Footballlive.ng gathered that Emery was again rolling superlatives in favour of Saka ahead of the London club’s FA Cup clash with Blackpool.
While serving a strong hint that Saka would get to play part of the game on Saturday, Emery admitted it was mostly because the team lack wingers on both flanks due to injuries.
Emery, though, acknowledged Saka’s talent and noted that the youngster deserved his Emirates FA Cup debut at Bloomfield Road.
Saka has already played for Arsenal’s senior team in the English Premier League and UEFA Europa League, but playing Saturday’s tie with The Seasiders, aged 17 years and 4 months, would make him one of the youngest Nigerian-born players to debut in the English FA Cup.
Emery enthused: “The young players, like Saka, he has debuted in his last match and he was playing because at the moment we haven’t a lot of players who have the possibility to play wide right or wide left.
“Saka is in the academy, growing up with good performances. It is the beginning, I hope, of a long career here in Arsenal. I am using different players because of injuries, but it is important for us to give chances to the young players.”