Bukayo Saka admits left-back isn’t his best position but the youngster is ready to learn.
One of Freddie Ljungberg’s greatest gifts to Arsenal in his short managerial stint might have been introducing the 18-year-old to the left-back position.
Saka has burst onto the scene with one impressive performance after the other. He won the Man of the Match award after a terrific display against Newcastle United on Sunday.
“I’m really enjoying my football under the new manager,” Saka said. “It’s not my natural position but he’s given me all the advice I need.I learned a lot about how wingers in the Premier League play against defenders and how to position myself because in his system it’s different. I get to play much higher because the winger comes inside and I get to go.
“There’s a lot of space for me and it’s good for me. I’m playing sort of as a winger when we have the ball but without the ball, I have to come back and work on my clearances, my heading and stuff I haven’t worked on my whole life. I feel like I’m doing ok right now.
“In the future, if I do get to go back onto the wing I feel like I know how full-backs play and playing as a full-back I know what wingers do, what I like them to do and what I don’t like them to do. It’s a good learning experience for me.”
These are very positive signs about the player’s attitude. An young player who is ready to adapt and stand up to the occasion is definitely a valued component of a top side. Saka would likely be moved up front once Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac returns from injury but he has definitely added strong competition the spot.
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