Robin van Persie compares ‘world-class’ Saka to Arsenal, Man Utd legends

Robin van Persie has praised Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka’s performance against Olympiacos in the Europa League and compared him to a trio of Manchester United and Gunners legends.

The teenager, who has enjoyed a breakout campaign, assisted the only goal of the game in Arsenal’s 1-0 win in Greece on Thursday night, whipping an inch-perfect cross into the box for Alexandre Lacazette.

Alex Lacazette strikes to put Arsenal ahead vs Olympiacos…

Away goal bagged 🥶 pic.twitter.com/hEcB8Oq1Wl

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 20, 2020

Incredibly, that was Saka’s eighth assist of the season in all competitions and Van Persie was gushing about his vision, likening the youngster to some of the Premier League’s best ever players.

‘Ryan Giggs used to give those passes, Dennis Bergkamp, Paul Scholes,’ said Van Persie on BT Sport after the game.

‘This is like ordering your striker to move into the danger zone. It’s actually world-class. Really, really good.

‘This is not simple. This is very good, world-class. He makes it look easy but this pass, like I said, only the great players can give those passes.

‘Most crosses there would be kicked away by the defender and would be shot too high or too low with no idea. ‘But this is a pass with an idea. This is a pass with a message, and that is what you want from your players.’

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He continued: ‘He’s really taking his chance, and that’s nice to see from a young kid to really grab his chance and play for his future. ‘And he’s doing it so well. It’s so nice to see.’

Martin Keown added: ‘It’s fortunate he’s even in the team and boy he’s really taken that. Sead Kolasinac now is sitting on the bench having to watch and sort of suck it up. And that’s what you need, you take your chance and make your mark.’