Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has lofty expectations for youngsters Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock, both of whom have broke into the first team this season.
Both players started in the 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night in the Europa League and both got on the score sheet, with Saka also providing two defeats.
Saka had not played in the Premier League this season ahead of his shining role in Germany, but has been immediately rewarded with a place in the starting XI against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Xhaka was thrilled to see Saka’s performance against Frankfurt, and his fantastic goal, and has explained why there is ‘much more to come from him.’
‘What a way to score your first goal for Arsenal!’ Xhaka wrote in the Arsenal matchday programme. ‘I was straight over to his once I saw the ball hit the back of the net and we ran over to celebrate with the fans.
‘I really like Bukayo as a player and as a person. He’s respectful, very hardworking and always willing to learn. When you’re young and breaking into the team, you absolutely must have that. If you don’t you can come unstuck really quickly.
‘But Bukayo is grounded, he’s on a good path and I’m sure there’s much more to come from him.’
Willock, 20, has more experience than Saka and has already played in four Premier League games this season.
Xhaka is impressed with how the midfielder has made an almost seamless switch from youth team football into the first team.
‘What I like about Joe is how quickly he’s adapted to first team football,’ continued Xhaka.
‘When you watch him and play alongside him you quickly forget just how young he still is. Nothing phases him, he just stays relaxed and gets on with what he needs to do.’
MORE: Arsenal manager Unai Emery says he is to blame for Watford meltdown, not Sokratis Papastathopoulos
MORE: Ian Wright says Arsenal’s young stars love working under new assistant Freddie Ljungberg
