Jamie Carragher explains why Bukayo Saka should feel offended ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea
Jamie Carragher says Arsenal's 'lack of superstar' claims are a slight on Bukayo Saka.(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Jamie Carragher believes Bukayo Saka should take grievance with claims that Arsenal are lacking a superstar in the final third of the pitch.
Many pundits have accused the Gunners of lacking a world-class forward line, despite winning the Premier League title last year.
Mikel Arteta's side fell short in the Champions League final against PSG last term and were linked with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Julian Alvarez and Morgan Rogers in the summer transfer window, but failed to land them.
Saka scored 11 goals and set up a further nine for his teammates in 49 appearances in all competitions last season, a lower output in the final third compared to previous campaigns.
The Arsenal star was on the fringes of Thomas Tuchel's England squad at the World Cup, but has started this season well with two goals in his opening two Premier League games.
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Writing in the Telegraph, Carragher backed Saka and insisted he's a top-quality player. He also made the point that Thierry Henry wouldn't have set him a target of achieving 15 goals and 15 assists in the Premier League this season - something only he, Mohamed Salah and Eden Hazard have done - if he didn't believe the England player could do it.
Carragher acknowledged that Saka's rise to stardom has somewhat stalled in recent years, partly due to injury issues, but still thinks the 24-year-old is one of the best around.
He said: "Criticism that Arsenal lack a superstar in and around the penalty area should be taken as a slight by Saka given what he has done for his club.
"His goal against Villa was his 100th for club and country, which by any standard is a significant achievement for someone whose best ought to be in front of him.
"Players can be underrated because of their sheer familiarity. He is one of those who would be sorely missed if he were not a mainstay on Arsenal’s right wing.
"When we judge whether someone is world class, we tend to lean on our judgment of what a player is right now rather than what he will be.
"Achieving truly elite status is always a process. Even some of the all-time greats were not ready-made, world-class stars when they joined their clubs.
"Think of the lauded Arsenal side with Thierry. He was recognised as one of the greatest as his career progressed. It was beyond doubt by the time he left, not upon his arrival."
Saka will be looking to make another mark on Sunday as Mikel Arteta's men face their first acid test of the season against title challengers Chelsea.
Sky Sports pundit Carragher had actually named Xabi Alonso's side as Arsenal's biggest threat, but flipped to Manchester City after Chelsea sold Enzo Fernandez to them for a joint British record fee of £125million.
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