Bukayo Saka: Rising Above Doubts with Brilliance on the pitch

Bukayo Saka will have no reason to worry about being “world class” because the world is already in awe of his class. His role in projecting Arsenal back to the top is enough evidence.

In the ever-evolving world of football, where emerging talents often face scrutiny and skepticism, Bukayo Saka is never escaping the constant probing of the media, even so being an Arsenal player.

Since his breakthrough in 2018 under Unai Emery, Bukayo Saka has been a crucial part of the Arsenal setup, and has played a significant role in getting the club out of the trenches.

His rapid progression up the ranks saw him get recognized as one the of the few talents in the club’s Hale End Academy to become a mainstay in the first team, and on a long-term.

Bukayo Saka’s versatility earned him a starting spot in the Arsenal team, whilst as a 17-year-old, when he made his first team bow in 2018, replacing Aaron Ramsey in an Europa League clash with Vorskla Poltava.

In his early days with the Arsenal first team, Bukayo Saka was deployed as a left-back due to the unavailability of Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac due to injuries.

In a team experiencing transition following the departure of long-term boss Arsene Wenger, there was little to take cognizance of in the performance of Saka in the Premier League.

However, Europe was where he continued to catch the attention of the press and fans. His first senior goal also came on the continent: a sensational long range curler against Eintracht Frankfurt a couple of weeks after his 18th birthday.

Blessed with electrifying pace, exquisite dribbling skills, and a keen footballing intelligence beyond his years, Saka rose through the ranks with ease, earning his place in the first team squad at a tender age.

Unfazed by competitions

Despite the signing of Nicolas Pepe for a club record fee in the summer of 2019, Bukayo Saka’s progress was not hampered. He remained a part of the team thanks to his talent and versatility.

Before the fall of Pepe at the club, Saka was deployed in multiple positions, mostly on either flank, interchanging position with the Ivorian, and other players in midfield.

His breakthrough came in the 2019/2020 season, where he fully establish himself as a key player for Arsenal, contributing goals, assists, and dynamic performances on a consistent basis.

Played across several positions thanks to his versatility, Bukayo Saka produced four goals and 12 assists in 35 games across all competitions for the Gunners, earning himself a call-up to the England National team in September 2019.

His seamless transition from youth football to the senior ranks drew praise from fans and pundits alike, with many touting him as one of the brightest prospects in English football.

Bukayo Saka ‘world class’ debate

However, despite his meteoric rise, Bukayo Saka has not been immune to criticism. Some skeptics have questioned whether he possesses the qualities to be considered “world class,” citing his age and lack of experience as potential hurdles.

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand is the latest to comment on the topic, emphasizing the talent of the 22-year-old but still not convinced it is enough to label him “world class.”

“Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.” Said Ferdinand.

“But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”

Yet, rather than allowing doubts to derail his progress, Saka has used them as fuel to drive his determination and ambition. Since Ferdinand made the comment, he appears to have assumed another height in his consistency.

Bukayo Saka, who recently reached 100 goal involvement in club competitions, reaching the tally faster in games and younger in age than Cristiano Ronaldo, has also added several other individual accolades.

He is currently the top scorer in the Premier League since the turn of the calendar year, scoring seven times in eight games while also recently becoming the first English player to score in five straight Premier League games for Arsenal since Ian Wright in 1994.

It will take a huge upset for anyone to beat him to the Player of the month of February in the Premier League, alongside his manager Mikel Arteta, who is also favourite to pick up the Manager of the month.

Bukayo Saka was arguably the best player in the UEFA Champions League group stages, scoring three goals and registering four assists. His seven goal involvement was higher than that of every other player in that stage of the competition.

However, not everyone sees things from the stance of Rio Ferdinand as former Watford Goalkeeper, Ben Foster, thinks the Arsenal starman is “world class” though he also believes Saka can still do better.

Ben Foster on Bukayo Saka: “It’s a tough one. I get where he’s coming from with it. I do think he’s world-class. But I also want to see him do more in the big games, the real ones that matter.”

“Do you know what I mean? When you’re playing your Man Citys, when you’re playing your Champions League quarter-final, semi-finals, them games, and the games towards the end of the season where Arsenal need someone to grab them by the scruff of the neck and lead them to wins, to wins, to wins, to wins. I want to see him doing it then,” He added.

With Arsenal having a UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg date with FC Porto in the Emirates, they look to overcome a one goal deficit. Bukayo Saka will have the avenue to again prove to the world why he is the real deal.

As he continues to dazzle on the pitch, it’s clear that his journey is only just beginning. Still only 22, his unwavering dedication, humility, humanity, and hunger for success will see him become a leading figure in the world of football for years to come.

Whether he ultimately achieves the status of “world class” is a matter of debate, one which he looks on course to put to rest. However, one thing is certain: Saka’s brilliance knows no bounds, and the best is yet to come.