Robert Pires has rowed back on his claim that Bukayo Saka lacks consistency and the suggestion that Manchester City’s Jeremey Doku is better than the Arsenal icon.
Saka only turned 23 this month and has already made 230 appearances for Arsenal and won 42 caps for England.
The winger enjoyed his most prolific season last time around, scoring 20 goals in all completions, outstripping his previous best of 15 in the campaign before.
However, Gunners hero Pires sounded like he wanted more from the winger as he discussed his development last week and, somewhat surprisingly, brought Doku up as a more impressive performer.
‘Bukayo still lacks a certain level of consistency and experience, especially in the big games,” Pires told Wettbasis.
‘Perhaps this season, especially in the Champions League, he will show a more convincing face than last season when it counts.
‘For example, in my opinion Jeremy Doku from Manchester City is a bit better because he is technically stronger, has better dribbling skills and is more imaginative.’
After making those comments the Frenchman changed his tune and backtracked on them.
Pires wrote on Instagram on Sunday: ‘I want to clarify that I think @bukayosaka87 is an amazing player and I have huge respect for him.
‘A while ago I was asked to compare him to another player …. I said the other player had better skills in some areas… this does not mean the other player is better than @bukayosaka87 … I genuinely think @bukayosaka87 is better and a fantastic number 7!’
Saka was taken off late in the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta confirming that it was an injury, although he could not confirm what.
‘I don’t know. I made two changes with the front players and suddenly he’s down,’ said the Spaniard after the match. ‘I looked at the bench and the options that we had and we had to adapt. I don’t know exactly what it is but he could not continue.’