Lukas Podolski has lavished praise on Bukayo Saka, dubbing him a ‘natural dribbler’ and Arsenal’s standout player as the club gears up for a crucial Champions League encounter with Inter Milan.
Recent weeks have proven challenging for Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s squad securing only two victories in their last five outings across competitions. Their recent 1-0 setback against Newcastle marked a third consecutive match without a Premier League win, leaving the Gunners lagging behind table-toppers Liverpool by seven points.
The midweek clash presents Arsenal with an ideal opportunity to rekindle their season against an Inter side that has found its stride, aiming for a third victory in as many matches in Europe’s elite tournament.
After starting their European journey with a goalless stalemate against Atalanta, Arsenal turned the tide with wins over both Paris Saint-Germain and Shakhtar Donetsk. A win at the San Siro could see them leapfrog Inter in the Champions League standings.
There’s a glimmer of hope for a returnee in the form of Martin Odegaard, whose presence was sorely missed due to an ankle injury. The North London giants have struggled for creativity in midfield during his absence.
When quizzed on Arsenal’s best player, Podolski, who had a short loan stint at Inter, couldn’t hide his admiration for Saka, stating: ‘Bukayo Saka. A born dribbler.’
As for Inter’s key player, he picked Marcus Thuram, noting, ‘Arsenal don’t have a striker like that. Havertz is there, yes, but he’s not a No.9. That’s the difference.’
Podolski complimented summer acquisition Riccardo Calafiori, who has already captured the hearts of Arsenal supporters with his confident performances since arriving from Bologna. However, he also emphasized the need for the young defender to up his game.
‘Arsenal isn’t a club known for fostering inexperience. They know what they’re doing, and if they invested in him, it’s because they see his potential,’ Podolski elaborated. ‘To be honest, he isn’t at his best yet; he needs to improve. But that improvement is just a matter of time.’
When asked which team he leans toward ahead of the pivotal showdown, Podolski said, ‘It’s tough to decide. Inter… are Inter. Simone Inzaghi’s tactics are well-known to everyone, but if I had to choose a style that captivates me, it’d be Arteta’s. I love what he manages to convey when the Gunners take to the pitch.’
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