Mikel Arteta told Arsenal have their own 'Lionel Messi' after injury concerns raised

Chelsea legend Joe Cole has compared Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to the likes of Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah. The England international has taken his performances to another level this year and has rightfully been named on the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or award.

Saka enjoyed a brilliant World Cup campaign for England in Qatar and was influential in helping Arsenal challenge for the Premier League title last term — despite missing out on the trophy to Manchester City. At just 22 years old, the star has already racked up nearly 14,000 minutes across all competitions for the first team, since making his breakthrough.

That's without counting the minutes Saka has played for the England national team, which is clocking up around the 2,000 mark. Arsenal icon Ian Wright has expressed concerns over the injury risks to Saka given the sheer amount of game time he has played at such a young age.

Speaking on the Handbrake Off podcast, he said: «This is why everyone is so worried when he is kicked all over the place. That is the only thing that is going to stop him. Every time he is kicked and you see him played in games you think ‘Could he have been rested in this game, does he need to be playing?'

»Sometimes you are worried because if Arsenal are to achieve anything, he is going to be one of the main reasons we get to what we want to get to. I think we’ll get there, but as long as he is managed very well."

Saka's importance to Arsenal is clear for everyone to see, and he is now beginning to become one of Gareth Southgate's few undroppables for England. In fact, Joe Cole believes the Gunners star has the same ability cutting in off the right wing as one of the greatest players to ever play the game — Lionel Messi.

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