Martin Keown’s Saka Comparison Backfires As Arsenal Weighs Up Exit Decision

Arsenal legend Martin Keown recently likened current Gunners teenage prospect Marquinhos to Bukayo Saka but things haven’t played out as expected since.

Keown heaped praise on the young Brazilian in the aftermath of his Arsenal debut, a tricky away tie in the Europa League against FC Zurich. Marquinhos netted a goal and registered an assist in the 2-1 victory on match-day one of the competition.

His strike displayed the kind of composure and calmness his performance has lacked in the games that have followed, though it is undeniable the former Sao Paulo youngster has plenty of talent to work with. With that being said, Keown may have been jumping the gun when he compared Marquinhos to experienced international Saka.

Weeks after his debut, Keown discussed Marquinhos by claiming: “Marquinhos is not playing tonight but he played in that very first game in Europe exceptionally well. It was like Saka in that position, it’s almost a copycat performance. That’s what you’re really looking for.”

The comments came around a fortnight after Keown compared the teenager to another talented wide-forward who also once donned the famous red and white of Arsenal.

Marquinhos – Bukayo Saka

“He looked a bit like a [Serge] Gnabry type player. He’s short, stocky, explosive pace. He looked very classy. He picked and chose his moments cleverly, whipped a couple of crosses in.

“Really good quality. He kept on producing. I think it’s great news,” Keown added.

“We’ve seen Saka, we’ve seen Smith Rowe in this very competition start their careers. I think we’re seeing another star here in the making.”

Well, while there is still time for Marquinhos to fulfill Keown’s lofty expectations – he may not enjoy as clear a pathway to Arsenal stardom as Saka. This is because manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly weighing up the idea of letting the 19-year-old winger leave, albeit on loan, in the upcoming January transfer window.

Some may question the decision to let any player leave in January after looking at how hectic Arsenal’s schedule is set to be in the new year, but the truth is Marquinhos has not developed as much as many would have hoped after his debut heroics.

He has been handed just one Premier League appearance in which he came off the bench and has failed to make any kind of meaningful impact in the Europa League games he’s featured in after that away day against Zurich.

Reiss Nelson’s recent stellar cameo off the bench against Nottingham Forest which saw him score twice may have only hindered Marquinho’s chance of first-team minutes and placed him further down the pecking order in the eyes of Arteta.