Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka has claimed that Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is the toughest player he has ever played against.
The 20-year-old is still waiting for his first taste of Champions League action with Arsenal but has locked horns with revered opponents in the Premier League and for England.
Arsenal and Barcelona did battle during a pre-season friendly in July 2019, and Saka has revealed how he was left in awe of the Spaniard's ability in that 2-1 loss in the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Speaking to GQ Magazine, Saka said: "Sergio Busquets, the way he just so elegantly turned me! [in a pre-season friendly in August 2019] I came at him to press him, I tried to fake this side then go to the other, and the way he just embarrassed me. I was just like, yeah, this guy is elite."
Saka - who appears on the cover of the latest GQ Magazine - has scored nine goals and set up five more in 30 appearances for the Gunners this term but has been unable to prevent them from suffering back-to-back losses to Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion since the international break.
Arsenal are believed to have made a new contract a priority for the England international, whose current terms at the Emirates expire in 2024.
Ben Knapton
