Bukayo Saka and Arsenal legend Tony Adams share a few similarities with each other.
The legendary Gunners’ defender came through the academy at Arsenal, became the captain, won the league title in three different decades and finished his career as a one-club man.
Saka also broke into the first team from Hale End and has captained the side in Martin Odegaard’s absence on multiple occasions.
The Arsenal number seven is yet to achieve the greatness that Adams did, but he is on the right track, and he seems to have been developing his leadership skills as well.
What should be Bukayo Saka’s starting position in the North London Derby – right-wing or attacking midfield?
Bukayo Saka’s message to Declan Rice about Arsenal vs Tottenham speaks volumes
Declan Rice is a London boy, so he must have known a lot about Arsenal’s rivalry with Tottenham Hotspur while growing up.
However, seeing something from the outside is very different from actually being involved in a North London Derby.
Just a couple of months after joining Arsenal from West Ham, Rice faced Tottenham for the first time as a Gunner.
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Before the game, Bukayo Saka went up to his compatriot and made it clear that Arsenal simply cannot lose to Spurs.
Speaking about the incident, Rice told The Sun: “I remember Saka saying: ‘You can’t lose derbies here to Spurs’.
“For the fan base, everyone, the players, the staff – that’s the game you can’t lose.”
That is fantastic from Saka, as every new player needs to be made aware of the importance of the North London Derby.
Rice has never lost to Tottenham as an Arsenal player, and he will be hoping to continue that with a win in the clash on Sunday.
🔮 What is your score prediction for the North London derby: Tottenham _-_ Arsenal
Bukayo Saka emulated Tony Adams with his North London Derby message to Declan Rice
Saka would’ve known all about Tony Adams while growing up at Arsenal.
The legendary defender knew the importance of games against Tottenham better than anyone else, and he took it upon himself to tell his teammates that the Gunners cannot lose to Spurs.
One player who experienced that first-hand was Lee Dixon. He previously said about the incident, as per talkSPORT: “I remember my first north London derby and Tony Adams literally had me up against the wall by the throat and said: ‘You don’t understand. We can’t lose this game!'”
Saka did the same with Rice, albeit in a far less aggressive way, but the fact that he sent the message shows he is Arsenal’s true captain, just like Adams was all those years ago.
We’re sure the eight new Arsenal signings from last summer have been told the same about the North London Derby.