‘Only Messi is better than Saka right now,’ claims Arsenal legend

Robin Bairner

• 29 Mar 2023 14:46 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has claimed that the only player better in world football right now better than Bukayo Saka is seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

Messi, who plays for PSG, completed his century of international goals on Tuesday as he scored three times as Argentina thumped Curacao 7-0 in a friendly.

Saka, meanwhile, has enjoyed his own international heroics in recent days, scoring a brilliant curling shot as England defeated Ukraine 2-0 at Wembley.

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The Arsenal star, meanwhile, has shone in the Premier League this season, playing a leading role as Mikel Arteta’s side have established a healthy eight-point advantage at the top of the table over Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Saka is in line for Player of the Year honours but Adams believe that he deserves more recognition than that.

“If there’s a better player in world football at the moment, someone who both scores and makes goals, the only one I can think of is Lionel Messi,” he told The Sun.

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“Bukayo is absolutely on fire and the reason Arsenal are top of the table.

“Erling Haaland might be scoring hundreds of goals for Manchester City and Marcus Rashford is also having a phenomenal season for United.

“But Bukayo is, hands down, the Footballer of the Year because he was England’s best player at the World Cup and he’s been the best player for the team eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.”

Arsenal can't take Saka for granted - Adams

Saka’s future, meanwhile, remains unresolved. He is out of contract in 2024 but Manchester City are thought to be interested in the 21-year-old, and Adams wants the situation resolved.

“Like me, he’s a London-born Arsenal fan who graduated through the academy and has the club in his blood,” he said.

“But even though the Gunners hierarchy are pretty confident he’s never going to leave them, they should never take that loyalty for granted.

“Now Mikel Arteta and the board have to convince Bukayo to stay by going big again in the transfer market this summer.”

Arsenal and Saka face Leeds on 1 April as they return to Premier League duties