Arsenal fans criticize club legend Robert Pires for divisive comments on Bukayo Saka

The Hale End Academy graduate has become the face of a resurgent Arsenal team that has challenged Manchester City for the Premier League title in back-to-back seasons.

After playing a prominent role in helping England to the final of Euro 2024, Saka has started the new campaign in fine fettle, scoring once and registering three assists already.

The 23-year-old’s status has grown to such an extent, meanwhile, that he is now in line to captain his club in Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham in the absence of the injured Martin Odegaard.

Moreover, Saka’s output in terms of goals and assists, has risen each year since making his debut as a teenager under Unai Emery.

Despite his impressive rate of improvement, Pires, one of the stars of Arsenal’s Invicible season, still believes Saka can too often blow hot and cold and believes Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku represents a more complete winger.

Speaking to Wettbasis.com, Pires said: ‘Bukayo Saka still lacks a certain level of consistency and experience, especially in the big games.

‘Perhaps this season, especially in the Champions League, he will show a more convincing face than last season when it counts.

‘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.’

Given Doku only demonstrated flashes of the ability that persuaded City to invest so heavily in him last year and was often accused of lacking end product, Arsenal fans could scarcely believe what they were hearing from a player they idolised in his pomp.

One disgruntled fan wrote on X: ‘Listen to me guys, I actually do know more than Pires about football. Saka is one of the very best around.’

Another disbelieving fan came armed with stats and said: ‘Pires doubling down on his comment that Doku is better than Saka. Saka had more goals last season for club and country (24) than Doku has in his entire career (22).’

And a third fan appeared to claim that Pires had personal beef with Saka, saying: I love Robert Pires but these kinds of comments are so nonsensical. I wonder what Bukayo Saka did to him that he keeps on downplaying his abilities.’