'Extremely brave on the ball' - Brighton CB Offiah hails Saka, admits he looks up to Arsenal star

Published: April 20, 2022

Teenage Nigerian central defender Odel Offiah is being tipped to make his Premier League debut in the not too distant future, having been named in the matchday squad on four occasions in the last seven matches played by Brighton & Hove in the top-flight.

Offiah watched proceedings from the bench as the Seagulls registered a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London and saw firsthand the qualities of onetime Nigerian Federation target Bukayo Saka despite the Gunners' suffering defeat.

Saka has stood out this season, scoring ten goals and providing five assists in 36 all-competition appearances, and was named PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month for March on the back of a series of stellar performances.

Offiah has admitted that the Hale End Academy graduate is one of the players he looks up to.

When asked whether he spoke to Saka before or after the clash against Arsenal, Ofiah told allnigeriasoccer.com : "I haven't spoken to Saka before but he is a amazing player and someone who I look up to as he is a young player from the academy who has progressed to the first team and England national team, and playing at the highest level.

"What impressed me most about Saka was that he was always trying to affect the game and extremely brave on the ball".

Offiah made his professional debut for Brighton & Hove in a Carabao Cup second round fixture against Cardiff City back in August.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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