Bukayo Saka has emerged as one of England’s brightest footballing talents, consistently earning a spot in both the Arsenal lineup and the national team over the years.
Often compared to fellow wingers like Phil Foden and Rodrygo, Saka has faced a fair share of praise and criticism.
Recently, however, the debate surrounding him took an unexpected turn, thanks to a controversial comment from Arsenal legend Robert Pires.
During a recent appearance on Germany based betting site Wettbasis, Pires has stirred the pot by claiming that Jeremy Doku surpasses Saka in terms of technical prowess, dribbling skills, and creativity.
Bukayo still lacks a certain level of consistency.
In my opinion, Jeremy Doku is a bit better. He has better dribbling skills and is more imaginative.
What’s more, Pires questioned Saka’s consistency—a trait that many fans consider one of his greatest strengths.
Saka’s consistency is not just a matter of opinion; it’s backed by statistics. Last season, he accumulated an impressive 34 goals and assists combined, a clear indication of his reliable performance throughout the campaign. This steady output contrasts sharply with Pires’ critique.
Safe to say, fans, even rivals, aren’t in favour of Pires’ remarks –
A closer look at their statistics reveals further contrasts. Saka averages 2.6 key passes per game, a notable advantage over Doku’s 1.6.
While Doku excels in dribbling—completing 3 dribbles per game compared to Saka’s 1.4—Saka’s defensive contributions stand out as well.
His work rate, commitment to tracking back, and interception rates are all superior to those of the Manchester City player.
Even on the international stage, Bukayo Saka has continued to shine. He’s been a prolific scorer, trailing only Harry Kane among current English players in terms of goals.
Given these facts, it’s no surprise that many in the football world are perplexed by Pires’ comments.