Bukayo Saka 'at the same table' as Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Rodrygo, says Arsenal and Brazil star Gabriel Jesus

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Bukayo Saka has plenty of admirers but few more so than Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian feels that Saka is as good a player as his three international team-mates Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Raphinha, who are all considered among the best wingers in the world. Saka has endured some patchy form recently, but Jesus believes that he is destined for greatness.

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Gabriel Jesus insists that Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka is one of the world's best wingers.

Brazil star Jesus has played alongside Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Raphinha at international level, with all considered among the best in the world in their positions.

But The Gunners' frontman is confident that Saka is just as good, claiming that the 25-year-old is "at the same table" as the Selecao trio.

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"They are all the same," he told the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, when quizzed on where the England international ranks against the other three.

"Obviously, we are talking about momentum and different styles, but they all have their qualities and have had an impact in one big moment.

"So Bukayo is there as well. Obviously, you still need to win trophies, but this he will get."

Saka clashing with Vinicius in the UEFA Champions League last season.
Image credit: Getty Images

Saka endured an injury-hit season last term and, at one point, was absent for more than three months with a hamstring problem.

He only managed six league goals, far fewer than the 16 he scored the campaign before, but still registered a handy 11 assists.

During the 2023/24 season, he recorded 37 goal contributions in all competitions - his highest return to date - but has only been able to contribute 16 so far this term (nine goals and seven assists).

Although Saka's numbers are not quite as sharp in what has been a tricky period for the winger, he is still capable of producing big moments as Arsenal chase silverware on multiple fronts.

Perhaps Saka's greatest test to date was when Arsenal travelled to the Bernabeu - home of Vinicius and Rodrygo - in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid last season.

Mikel Arteta's team only had to avoid a three-goal defeat after an emphatic first-leg victory to progress to the last four.

Although Vinicius got himself on the scoresheet, it was only to cancel out Saka's decisive opening goal to make it 4-0 on aggregate.

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"I'm a big fan of Bukayo's personality because this guy is so humble. And he's strong, but so humble," Jesus added.

"Today in football it's not something that is easy, to see someone that comes from the academy and then being so big in the club or in the team or in football, and then he has stayed the same."

Saka, who has captained Arteta's side in the absence of the injured Martin Odegaard, will no doubt have a blockbuster role to play during the run-in for the Premier League title.

The Gunners are currently nine points clear of Manchester City - who have a game in hand - but are still alive and kicking in other competitions, despite their Carabao Cup final defeat to Pep Guardiola's side.

It is the Emirates FA Cup up next for Arsenal in their hunt for an elusive treble, where they take on Southampton - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - for a place in the semi-final.

After that The Gunners travel to Lisbon for a meeting with Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

"I'm very confident. Very confident, because we are in a good place and we have an amazing squad," Jesus said of Arsenal's trophy chances.

"I believe 100% that this season we are doing something."

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