Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Arsenal star Bukayo Saka can improve one thing in his game that could be learned from former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.
The 22-year-old winger is enjoying his best season to date with Arsenal with Saka becoming the first English player for the Gunners since Ian Wright to score 15+ goals in the Premier League.
With Saka scoring 20 in all competitions along with 14 assists, the forward has firmly established himself as a world-class wide-attacker and one of Arsenal’s most important players in their bid to win the Premier League title.
Yet Ferdinand now thinks Saka needs to take inspiration from Mahrez if he is to take his game up a level.
Ferdinand urges Saka to learn Mahrez skill to level up his game
Speaking on Five, the pundit suggested that Saka needs to improve his decision-making on his right foot if he is to become a more well-rounded attacker, with Ferdinand suggesting that Mahrez did this better than anyone.
Indeed, every player on the planet can improve at one aspect of their game, and for Saka, using his right foot to better use in the final-third could be something for the Arsenal winger to consider heading into pre-season.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house
Ferdinand said when asked how Saka can improve his game: “I still think he needs that variable in his game, a bit more to be able to go on the outside and then deliver the right choice of pass or shot with his right foot.
“I have seen it in glimpses over the season, but I want to see that more consistently. That’s where Mahrez was top, where Mahrez, 50-50, he would go right or left on the outside or come inside. I think if Saka can bring that to his game, he would be so much harder to play against.”
Saka has everything around him to take his game up a few gears at Arsenal
At Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, Saka has found the perfect support system and coach to take his game to a whole new level, with the 22-year-old young enough to add more aspects to his skillset in the coming seasons.
And for all Ferdinand has said about Saka in recent years, the former Manchester United defender is right that the Arsenal winger can do more to improve his weak foot in dangerous attacking situations.
After all, Saka has seen his productivity hit new heights this season, and unlocking the true potential of his right foot could be all that’s needed for the winger to become the outright best in the world in his position.