Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has identified Bukayo Saka among three Arsenal youngsters manager Mikel Arteta has turned to since he took over the reins at the Emirates Stadium outfit in December.

The England U19 international benefited from the injuries suffered by Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney, starting each of the last six Premier League games contested by the Gunners before the league was postponed.

Though Ferdinand has praised Arteta for giving first team opportunities to the likes of Saka, Joe Willock and Gabriel Martinelli, he noted that there are still holes in the Arsenal defence and wants the club to strengthen in that position. 

In quotes carried by The Mirror, making reference to a video on Instagram Live, Ferdinand stated : "Really you’re meant to be looking at centre-halves, they should’ve been looking there for the last 10 years and they haven’t got it right.

"Arsenal is a fantastic football club, what a club, a massive club. I think they’ve got to get it right in other areas of the pitch.

"Keep bringing in these [players], Martinelli, Saka, Willock, all these boys."

Saka's long-term future at Arsenal was up in the air before sporting activities were postponed in England, with the contract of the 18-year-old expiring at the end of the 2020-2021 season.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com