Arsenal: Keown ‘immensely impressed’ after having private chat with fearless Gunners star | OneFootball

Club legend Martin Keown has admitted that he was “immensely impressed” by Bukayo Saka while speaking to the Arsenal and England sensation.

Saka has emerged as an integral player for Arsenal and he is currently enjoying his best season to date in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old has grabbed 12 goals and ten assists in 28 Premier League outings this term and he is among the leading contenders to win the division’s Player of the Year award this term.

The Englishman will be vital in the coming weeks as Arsenal look to edge out Man City to finish the 2022/23 campaign as Premier League champions.

Arsenal will restore their eight-point lead at the top of the table if they beat Leeds United on Saturday afternoon. Man City reduced the deficit at lunchtime on Saturday as they hammered Liverpool 4-1.

The Gunners were on a brilliant run before the international break as they won six games in a row. Their last victory was against Crystal Palace.

Keown has now revealed that he was ‘immensely impressed’ by Saka when he spoke to the forward after the win over Palace.

‘I got the chance to speak to Bukayo Saka after Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace before the international break and was immensely impressed by this 21-year-old’s personality,’ Keown wrote for The Daily Mail.

‘He told me they fear nobody — which is clear in the way Saka plays — and are determined to do everything in their power over the next eight weeks to go down in history.

‘This beautiful attitude took me back to the Wenger era. For Arsenal need to keep the momentum going today against Leeds, which won’t be easy.

‘On the other hand, for Manchester City playing the chasing role, their game against Liverpool is close to a ‘must-win’ as they need to keep the pressure on.

‘Momentum, such a precious commodity in a battle for the Premier League title, can shift so quickly and from game to game. Let the countdown begin.’

Saka started the game against Leeds United on the bench as Arteta confirmed he “was unwell”.

“He wasn’t able to train yesterday. He was unwell,” Arteta told Sky Sports.

“He wasn’t feeling well and he didn’t train and today he feels a little bit better so we put Gabriel Jesus on.”

Saka was replaced by Gabriel Jesus who came in to make his first start since suffering his serious knee injury while at the World Cup.

On Jesus, Arteta added: “He always brings a lot of energy, a lot of quality, a lot of movement, chaos.