Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been sent a classy message from Unai Emery ahead of their reunion at Villa Park this weekend.

The Spaniard handed Saka his Gunners debut before Mikel Arteta eventually took charge at the Emirates Stadium and helped guide the 22-year-old to the level he is performing at now.

Unai Emery helped Bukayo Saka soon make his debut at Arsenal

Unai Emery hails ‘very humble’ Bukayo Saka as Aston Villa boss prepares for Arsenal reunion

Emery’s departure from Arsenal has been long forgotten with the Spanish manager now performing wonders with Aston Villa. The Gunners were the last Premier League team to beat Villa at their home ground – picking up a 4-2 win back in February.

Saka scored that day and will be hoping to make the difference once again with Arsenal leading the way at the top of the Premier League table heading into the weekend. The 22-year-old recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of his Arsenal debut and made his 200th appearance for his boyhood club in Tuesday’s 4-3 win at Luton.

Saka is now a crucial player for club and country, a much different player compared to the shy teenager who made his debut under Emery, but the Spaniard has not been surprised by his stratospheric career trajectory. “They [Arsenal] have always had good players in their academy and Saka was one very good example,” said Emery at his pre-match press conference.

“His development was because he had very good coaches in the academy and I helped him and he’s developing a lot under Mikel Arteta. He’s a very good player and he’s a humble person, and I’m very happy for him as a player.”

Earlier, Bukayo Saka, one of Arsenal’s revelations at the start of the season, recognised that it took him a lot to understand Unai Emery.

“At times, when I do not understand what Emery wants to say to me, I speak to Freddie Ljungberg and he explains it to me,” the footballer said.

Emery was pragmatic when trying to justify himself: “I have had conversations with him and Ljungberg does the same with everyone, not just with him. I have also spoken alone to Saka in my office and I believe that the players understand me. But, if not, it is good that Freddie can help them.”

“The first day I spoke very bad. Much worse than now. I have continued to practice my English and I think that it is improving. My English has gone from a 1 out of 10, to perhaps a 6. But I believe that with a 6, the players should be able to understand me,” the coach realised recently in statements made with ‘AS’.

Emery will be the lone manager on the touchline this weekend when Arsenal face Villa, with Arteta set to watch on from the stands. When asked about Emery’s time at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta responded: “I don’t know but at the time he still did some very nice things here. It is not for me to judge that.”

The Gunners boss clearly has a lot of respect for Emery’s work and revealed he has been a keen admirer of the Villa boss for a while. “I followed him since he was in Almeria and for every team he has always been remarkable,” Arteta said.

“He always improves the players, the team and the club. He’s Basque like I am and he is a manager that I really admire for what he has done in the game.

“He has done it in various countries at different levels and always been successful. I am really happy for him.”