Saka: Page 11 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

Saka

Qwiss

I don't think youth footballers are half as likely to be pushed through periods where they are in the red as senior players. Comparing someone playing U23s to someone playing Premier League and Champions League seems a bit silly to me.

Big Willie

Qwiss I don't think youth footballers are half as likely to be pushed through periods where they are in the red as senior players. Comparing someone playing U23s to someone playing Premier League and Champions League seems a bit silly to me.

Yeah, I mean I am unfit as fuck, don't think most of the guys I play with are much better either, but we still manage about 2 and a half hours of football every weekend. Got sweat drenching our tops, and we only stop because it's the amount of time we have the pitch available to us. No way we'd be able to last even 30mins against grown professionals without passing out.

flobaba

I was watching clips of former footballers, and I think I've realized who I would like Saka to emulate. It's Arjen Robben. He has to become as lethal with his left foot if he's going to be a "stats monster". He has to have a go to move similar to the goal against Wolves. Get the ball,
run at a defender or defenders, keep them off balance, check back to the inside when they least expect it, (or even worse when they do but have no option but to cover your outside run as well), get your body shape right and then blast one into the top corner. That was basically all Robben did but he was almost unstoppable. That's who Saka should model his game on to get to the next level. Now Robben was quicker than most with the ball at his feet, but Saka isn't a slouch himself. Just needs to be more conscious of the fact that he is in control of the dance and must actively look for his shot from anywhere within 25 yards from goal on that right flank. The ability to get ones body shape right is super critical here. Needs to be at close to a 90degree approach/shot angle when he strikes it. The defender will always always be at your mercy in this situation, especially if you're executing at full speed.

QuincyAbeyie

I think that's a tall order due to the pace you mentioned. Robben was quite possibly the fastest player in the game at one point, and that along with his technical abilities brought advantages Saka will never have. Saka has tons of the latter though, and is more unpredictable.

goon

Martinelli is more a Robben type I reckon, i.e. highly efficient, ruthless finisher, very direct. I think Salah is a decent bench mark for Saka.

Qwiss

goon I think Saka is similar to Robben in dribbling style, both keep it simple and close. Its quite deceptive and really hard to defend. As others have said Saka doesn't quite have that insane pace. Better brain though. Martinelli is closer in speed but I think his dribbling style is very different, not as close, more exciting looking but not quite as good technically, knocks it past players more.

Clrnc

Robben is unique. That curling shot is so consistent and hard to save

banduan

Saka's strength is that he's not a one-trick pony. Robben was the best ever pony in the one-trick business.

Saka will have Mane level stats soon enough, though I expect Gabinelli to consistently outscore him eventually.

Asterix

Three great and different goals from Saka for England. The second is the pick obviously, but I liked all of them. I love his power and precision on his "weaker" foot, and it was good seeing him up front take that chance clinically on the break for his third.

Question for later - at what age does a Starboy become a Starman?

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

I expect 35-40 G/A next season. Magnificent player.

Doc

Great....

flobaba

Please just let him rest like a baby over the summer.

Gurgen

Not much summer left with these absurd internationals. We’re back in training in less than a month probably?

RocktheCasbah

Gurgen Usually 1st/2nd week of July, isn't it? Not far away at all.

goon

International guys get a bit of extra time off, but we fly off to the states I think in about 3-4 weeks - I'd imagine all the big hitters will be there for that.

Ricky1985

Any mention of an achilles injury is concerning. Hope he gets a rest.

I don't watch or care about international football for the most part, but those are three goals that showcase just what an incredible footballer he is.

For me, he's the best and smartest attacker in the Premier League.

QuincyAbeyie

I can definitely agree with smartest, unless KDB counts maybe. However, do you think he should've gotten Premier League Player of the Season @Ricky1985?

I would've easily picked Haaland's and Kane's seasons and it's not particularly close.

Ricky1985

I don't know if he should or shouldn't have won PotS - it's hard to separate the individual's season from the context of the team as a whole. I don't think it matters tbh.

But imo Saka is the best pure attacker in the League on ability alone. Just about every facet of his game is not just good, it's fantastic. KDB for me is one of the smartest players in the League atm, but not when compared to similar players of the recent past - I think he just has absolutely extraordinary ball-striking technique. That's his superstar quality, not his intelligence. For example, I'd say Ødegaard has much better awareness and intelligence.

But I was talking more about pure attackers when I mentioned Saka. Someone like Bernado Silva is similarly intelligent and aware, but he's not a pure attacker who has to also be the tip of the spear in the way Saka is.

The kid is absolutely extraordinary!

Clrnc

A pure attacker surely Haaland is better?

Ricky1985

If I'm building a fantasy team, and I get to choose any attacker in the Premier Legaue as my first pick, I'm picking Saka.

Qwiss

Ricky1985 I'm with you. Haaland is amazing and no one will score as many as him but there are strikers in the PL you could put in your XI who'll still score plenty. I don't see anyone else who can give you close to what Saka does. He's not someone who can be measured purely on the numbers, even though they are great too.

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