Mikel Arteta praises 'quality' Arsenal star with Lionel Messi-esque performance in Wolves win

Mikel Arteta drew parallels between Bukayo Saka and Lionel Messi following Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Wolves in their Premier League season opener on Saturday.

The Gunners got off to the perfect start at the Emirates with Saka and his teammate Kai Havertz getting on the scoresheet to secure all three points.

Arsenal manager Arteta was quizzed about Saka in his post-match press conference and why teams allow the winger to cut inside onto his left foot.

Arteta could not hide a massive smile when asked the question and then proceeded to compare Saka to Argentine icon Messi, regarded by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.

In direct response to the question about Saka, Arteta said: ‘Good players, you know…

‘With [Lionel] Messi, I know that he’s going to come in here and put the ball there. He does it all the time. It’s the quality of the players.’

There has long been a debate over whether or not Saka should be considered a world-class footballer, despite the Englishman being Arsenal’s most important attacking player in recent seasons and his impressive top-flight performances.

In February this year, Rio Ferdinand was trolled by Arsenal fans during a flight to Porto after he publicly insisted that Saka was not world class.

‘Not yet,’ Ferdinand said on Vibe with Five on Saka’s world-class credentials. ‘Listen. I think Saka’s been unreal.

‘I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid. But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages.

‘Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.’

Arsenal have not reached the Champions League semi-finals since the 2008-09 season, the same year Saka joined the Arsenal academy from Watford.

By comparison – Messi has won four Champions League titles – and that’s before any mention of his domestic successes with Barcelona, international triumphs with Argentina and various individual achievements, with a record eight Ballon d’Ors.

Saka, meanwhile, has won one FA Cup and two Community Shields since breaking into the Arsenal XI.