"Wow..." - Saka reveals which Arsenal player impressed him most when he joined the senior team

Bukayo Saka has revealed he was most impressed by Mesut Ozil when he initially joined Arsenal's first team.

Saka made his senior debut under Unai Emery shortly after his 17th birthday, back in 2018.

However, even the most optimistic Arsenal fan would not have predicted his meteoric rise since then.

The 21-year-old currently has the world at his feet, helping Arsenal to a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

He has become Mikel Arteta's main man this season, registering 11 goals and nine assists in all competitions.

But rewind just a few years, and the England international had some big names ahead of him in the pecking order.

Saka 'wowed' by Ozil

Saka has lifted the lid on the player he was most struck by when he first entered the frame at London Colney, revealing Ozil was "in his own world".

Saka told Football Focus: “I think I would probably say Mesut Ozil,” said Saka. “He plays in his own world. Some of the things he does and you look at him ‘just wow’.”

Ozil joined the Gunners in 2013 and went on to spend nine seasons with the club where he won three FA Cups.

It has been argued that he failed to hit the heights expected of him in north London, only qualifying for the Champions League three times during his stay.

However, he has amassed a cult following across the football world due to his creativity and genius on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's young side are currently surpassing all expectations as they chase their first Premier League title since 2004.

Arteta's arrival paved the way for Saka's rise to prominence, and saw the end of Ozil's reign at the club, who was shown the back door in 2021.

Things haven't gone according to plan for the 34-year-old in Turkey either, after he had his contract terminated by Fenerbahce last month.

In a major boost for Gunners fans, Saka looks set to put pen to paper over a new deal at the Emirates.

The winger has reportedly agreed a new long-term contract which will likely make him the highest paid player at the club, just as Ozil was all those years ago.