Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole believe Bukayo Saka is already one of the best right-wingers in the world, despite being only 21 years old.

Saka scored a screamer as Arsenal battled past Nottingham Forest 2-1 in their opening game of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign. The TNT Sports pundits compared Saka to Mohamed Salah, while Cole said his left foot is comparable to Lionel Messi’s.

Despite being just 21 years old, TNT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole believe Bukayo Saka is already one of the best players in the world in his position.The right-winger ensured Arsenal got off to a winning start in this season’s Premier League, with his 25-yard stunner proving the difference as Mikel Arteta’s side beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the Emirates.

It was Eddie Nketiah who opened the scoring in the 25th minute, but there was no doubt who stole the headlines after Saka cut in from the right and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed rocket into the top corner to double The Gunners’ advantage.Forest pulled one back in the 82nd minute to set up a tense finale, but Arsenal held firm to secure all three points as they bid to go one better than last season and end their title drought that stretches back almost two decades.

After the game, both Ferdinand and Cole were asked how Saka stacks up against the best right-wingers in world football.“I think [Mohamed] Salah is in the conversation,” Ferdinand said. “I think Salah right now gets more goals, so I’d put Salah maybe ahead of him.“He’s got the experience, he’s won things as well, his resume is that much more full because of his age and his experience.

“This kid is on the way and the track to get to them heights. You’ve got to remember Salah was hitting late 20s, 30 goals a season consistently. He’s got to get to that, I think he will.“I think his importance to the team is the big thing. He is so important to this Arsenal team, one of if not the most important player in this team.“I think if you’re going to talk about the top right-wingers in the world, he’s in the top three without a question of doubt for me.”Salah, who is nearly 10 years Saka’s senior, bagged 30 goals in all competitions for Liverpool last season to reach that mark for the third year in a row, while the Arsenal midfielder netted 15 times.

But Cole pointed to the difference in age between the two Premier League superstars, insisting Salah was not hitting the same heights at 21, and comparing Saka’s left foot to Lionel Messi’s.“I don’t think there’s anyone else in world football, apart from maybe the main man who’s on the slide now Messi, who has got a left foot as good as his coming in from that position,” Cole said. “It is exquisite.“You have to think as well, the comparisons with Salah is a massive compliment to Saka. Salah is top, top drawer, top class but Salah at Saka’s age hadn’t put the body of work in that Saka’s already done.“

We all wax lyrically about him here, but I still think he’s such a gem, we’re so lucky to have him and this club’s lucky to have him.“He’s got such great ability and yeah, he’s standing on the shoulder with all of them players in his position in world football.”Ferdinand added: “I think, Joe, you hit the nail on the head. Salah wasn’t doing this, what Saka’s doing, at this age.”He wasn’t deciding games at the top level like this in the Premier League consistently for a top team, he wasn’t.”So, he’s got an opportunity to really stamp his authority as one of the best right wingers around.”- – -TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media