“It’s crazy”: AC Milan star compares Saka now to academy days | OneFootball

Former Gunner Yunus Musah insists that Bukayo Saka stands out even more in men’s football than he did in the youth game.

Bukayo Saka and David Raya in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Yunus Musah and Bukayo Saka were once teammates in the Arsenal academy, playing a few games together in the u18s, but whilst Saka stayed in north London, Musah moved on to Valencia and then AC Milan.

Reflecting back on his time with the Gunners, Musah discussed how Saka is even better now than he was then, despite a change in position.

“Bukayo is doing the same things now that he was doing at academy level — and he’s doing them even better now, even though it’s harder to do it at senior level,” Musah said.

“The difference is he didn’t play on the right in his youth. He played left-back and left-wing. It’s impressive. He’s improved as well, it’s crazy.

“Sometimes you see players do better in the youth teams because it is easier. But then he’s actually doing better in men’s football. He stands out even more now.”

Yunus Musah back at Hale End with Arsenal youth coach Simon Copley (Photo via Copley on Twitter)

Musah returned to Arsenal to visit Hale End over the summer, with Arsenal u12-14s head coach Simon Copley sharing a picture of the two together.

But the 21-year-old has since gone back to Milan, providing an assist in their opening game of the Serie A campaign against Torino at the weekend to complete a comeback draw.

Milan were 2-0 down as late as the 88th minute, but Musah’s cross for Noah Okafor earned them a 95th-minute equaliser.

Yunus Musah signing for AC Milan (Photo via AC Milan on Twitter)

Though he spent most of his footballing youth career in England, playing for Arsenal and the England youth teams, Musah was born in New York City, and he opted to represent the USA internationally.

The midfielder has gone on to make 39 international appearances since his 2020 debut, including at the 2022 World Cup and in three CONCACAF Nations League-winning campaigns (2019/20, 2022/23, and 2023/24).