03 January 2023 , 19:15
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Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour has claimed Bukayo Saka would have made it into the Gunners' Invincibles team from back in 2003-04.
The Gunners went an entire league season unbeaten under Arsene Wenger - winning 26 and drawing 12 - but have not won the Premier League title since. That could change this season, though, with Mikel Arteta's team opening up a seven-point lead at the top after beating Brighton on Saturday.
Parlour was part of that victorious squad, making 25 appearances in the top-flight in what would end up being his final season with the Gunners. He shared a pitch with the likes of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires during a dominant campaign, but believes Saka could hold his own in such company.
"In terms of players who could get in the ‘Invincibles team, you have to look at Bukayo Saka, surely," Parlour told Lord Ping. "Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have been very good but I played with players like Gilberto Silva who was very underrated.
"You can't argue with Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp up front. There won't be many players getting in our team but I think Saka would be the one to do that - he's been brilliant this year."
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Despite the results produced by the Invincibles, Parlour remains impressed by Saka and his current colleagues. "It'd be very competitive if the current Arsenal team was pushing the teams that I played in," he said.
Which members of Arsenal's current crop would have made the Invincibles team? Have your say in the comments section
Bukayo Saka has been one of Arsenal's star men (Alastair Grant/AP/REX/Shutterstock)A star of England's World Cup campaign, Saka picked up where he left off in the league when the Gunners returned to action. The 21-year-old netted in the comeback victory over West Ham on Boxing Day, before opening the scoring inside two minutes as Arteta's men won 4-2 at Brighton.
Saka had spoken in December about his regret at never meeting Arsene Wenger, having made his debut shortly after the legendary manager left the club. Wenger responded by saying he looked forward to finally meeting the starlet, and did so after making his long-awaited return to the Emirates Stadium for the West Ham game.
“I think they have all the necessary ingredients, both tactically and mentally,” Wenger said of his former side after their Boxing Day win. “They can go all the way. Because, as you see, they create so many chances. I actually see no weaknesses.”
Saka's goal against Brighton was his sixth in the league and seventh in all competitions this season for Arsenal. The 12 he scored in all competitions during the 2021-22 season made him the Gunners' top scorer, and he is looking to post a career-best tally for a second season running.