'Best in the world' - Pundit makes bold Real Madrid claim about Arsenal star

Arsenal got off to a triumphant start in their opening Premier League match of the 2024/25 campaign, securing a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Following a season in which he scored more goals than any of his teammates - 20 across all competitions - Bukayo Saka kicked off his campign as he means to go on by contributing to Kai Havertz’s opener against Wolves before scoring himself in the 74th minute.

The Hale End graduate is preparing for yet another lethal season on the wing and one former Premier League star has even argued that the 22-year-old England international would break into the current Real Madrid starting XI, displacing Brazilian star Rodrgyo.

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara previously trained at the Arsenal Academy before moving to their north London rivals in 2003. He made 34 Premier League appearances for Spurs between 2005-2011 before signing with Wolves, Blackpool, Fulham, Gillingham and Billericay Town - with whom he would go on to become a player-manager.

The former Gunners trainee star has now spoken of his admiration for Saka, citing him as one of the ‘best wingers in the world’ and recently told Grosvenor Sport: “Bukayo Saka is definitely up there with the best wingers in the world, you can’t get away with that fact.

“He’s probably in the same league as the likes of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo. In fact, I think he’d get into Real Madrid’s starting XI if he was there – he’d probably play over Rodrygo. He was brilliant once again for Arsenal against Wolves on Saturday. He’s a top player for both club and country. He’s got that sharp move inside and knows where the goal is. That assist he got for Kai Havertz last weekend was brilliant as well and he’s going to be a star player again this season.”

While O’Hara continues to be full of praise for the 40-time England sensation, he has warned of ‘burn-out’ and alerts Arteta of the dangers in using his star winger too much.

Saka played 35 Premier League fixtures, nine UEFA Champions League; one FA Cup and one EFL Cup fixture last campaign and following this summer’s European Championship competition, in which the 22-year-old played in all seven of the Three Lions’ matches, the former Spurs midfielder has spoken of the necessity to ‘rest’

“I worry for Arsenal if Saka gets tired or injured,”O’Hara continued. “He’s playing lot of minutes and a huge number of games, not just for Arsenal but for England too, and he will need some rest eventually. He’s a young lad who’s played a lot of football – you don’t want him to burn out at his age. He’s featured in the Euros, had a couple of weeks off and now back playing again. You have to be careful with these young players and manage their minutes, especially with Arsenal competing in four competitions again.”

Saka is next set to feature for Arsenal as they travel to Villa Park to face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Saturday 24 August.