CHANGING OF GAARD PUTS SAKA ON PARADE

WHEN Mikel Arteta named his first Arsenal starting XI, he stuck Bukayo Saka at left-back.

- ALAN SMITH

Almost five years on, and the Gunners boss admits he would have never guessed during that draw at Bournemouth that a shy teenager with bags of talent would become one of the game's most feared right-wingers.

Now Arteta considers Saka (above) to be Arsenal's "main figure with two or three players at the club." The 23-year-old comes into tonight's Manchester United clash with claims from team-mates that he can win the Ballon d'Or.

The manager insists Saka's conversion has not been a surprise, simply a result of consistent hard work.