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In an amusing turn of events aboard a Ryanair flight to Portugal, Rio Ferdinand found himself at the centre of a lighthearted chant by Arsenal fans, prompting an announcement from the man himself.
The former Manchester United defender and TNT Sports pundit had previously voiced his opinion that Arsenal's Bukayo Saka wasn't "world-class yet," despite a standout season.
This comment sparked a playful reaction from the Gunners' supporters en route to Arsenal's crucial Champions League fixture against Porto.
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18:04 - 17.02.2024
Saka shines as Arsenal crush Burnley to send out title warning to Liverpool, Man City
High-flying Arsenal smashed relegation candidates Burnley 5-0 at Turf Moor to keep their title aspirations on track.
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17:01 - 15.02.2024
Bukayo Saka Surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo with Stellar Half-Century Goal Mark for Arsenal in Just 210 Games
Bukayo Saka's historic leap into Arsenal folklore was nothing short of sensational during Sunday's masterclass against West Ham, netting a brace in a 6-0 victory that etched his name as the youngest Gunner to reach 50 Premier League goals in the era.
Ferdinand Responds with Grace
Caught in a sea of football banter, Ferdinand took to the intercom to address the Arsenal faithful directly. His words, as reported by the Sun, "Hello guys, I just want to say it's been an absolute pleasure to have you Arsenal fans.
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"I must say, Saka is a fantastic player, just not world-class yet. He will be one day but just not yet," were met with laughter and chants, showcasing the pundit's good humour in the face of teasing.
Saka's Stellar Season
The focus of the jest, Bukayo Saka, has indeed had an impressive season, contributing 15 goals and 13 assists in 32 appearances for Mikel Arteta's squad.
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His performance is a beacon of hope as Arsenal looks to make a significant impact in their first Champions League knockout stage appearance since the 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in 2017.
A victory over Porto would mark Arsenal's return to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, a milestone eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike.
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