Arsenal starlet earns place in Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week after Watford win

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Garth Crooks has included Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka in his Premier League Team of the Week.

The Gunners earned a dramatic 3-2 victory over Watford on Sunday afternoon, with Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli getting on the scoresheet.

Saka enjoyed another brilliant match for Arsenal as he picked up an assist inside five minutes, before slotting home an exceptional strike on the half hour mark.

On the 20-year-old, Crooks said: “If you’re a Tottenham fan it must be excruciating watching your local rivals continue to pick up points as they aim to secure a Champions League spot.

“The reason the Gunners are still flirting with a top-four place is due largely to the brilliance of Bukayo Saka.”

Saka has shone for Arsenal this season, picking up eight goals and five assists so far in the league.

Crooks added: “The England international has grown tremendously since he played in the European championships and seems to glide through games these days.

“If Arsenal can’t provide Champions League football for the youngster then I suggest he finds it somewhere else.

“Talent like this shouldn’t hang around.”

Elsewhere, Crooks’ Team of the Week also included Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Fabian Schar (Newcastle), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Joao Cancelo (Man City), Reece James (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Riyad Mahrez (Man City), Ivan Toney (Brentford) and Kai Havertz (Chelsea).