Bukayo Saka has shown that there is no bad blood between himself and Robert Pires despite recent criticism from the Arsenal legend. Pires caught fans' attention earlier this year by picking Manchester City wide man Jeremy Doku over the Gunners' No 7 in a game of 'winner stays on'.
He went on to say, in an interview with Wettbasis, that Saka needs to improve in a number of key areas.
"Bukayo still lacks a certain level of consistency and experience, especially in the big games," Pires stated. "Perhaps this season, especially in the Champions League, he will show a more convincing face than last season when it counts. For example, in my opinion Jeremy Doku from Manchester City is a bit better because he is technically stronger, has better dribbling skills and is more imaginative."
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The criticism of Arsenal's so-called 'starboy', particularly from a player who excelled under Arsene Wenger between 2000 and 2006, irked the many Gunners fans who feel that Saka is a far better player than Doku.
Pires went on to alter his view ahead of September's north London derby in an Instagram post dedicated to Saka. "I want to clarify that I think @bukayosaka87 is an amazing player and I have huge respect for him," he wrote.
"A while ago I was asked to compare him to another player. I said the other player had better skills in some areas. This does not mean the other player is better than @bukayosaka87. I genuinely think @bukayosaka87 is better and a fantastic number seven."
The kind words seem to have banished any bad feeling between the pair, if there was any to begin with, as Saka posted a picture of them smiling together on Wednesday morning with the caption: "Friends again! [crying laughing emoji]".
Saka has made a fast start to the new season with six goal contributions in his first six Premier League games. And he has taken that form into European competition too, scoring the second of Arsenal's two goals in the win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
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The Gunners have not won a Premier League title since Pires was in the team in 2004. Having strengthened over the summer, and with confidence soaring after defeating PSG, Saka feels that this could finally be the year he and his team-mates follow in their predecessors' footsteps.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on us but I do think this is the year," he told CBS Sports. "We've been close the last two years and we're getting closer, but yeah, this will hopefully be the year."
