Martin Keown, speaking on BT Sport after the match, thought that 18-year-old Bukayo Saka was excellent, saying he's better than the man they spent big money on this summer.
'You think of the way [Nicolas] Pepe's playing at the moment, they paid £72million for him, and this kid looks better than him tonight,' said the former Arsenal man.
Pepe joined Arsenal from Lille over the summer for a club-record fee.
Saka scored and was instrumental in Arsenal's first goal in their big 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
'Look at this for composure,' Keown commented on Saka's goal. 'It's a beautiful finish. 18 years of age, unbelievable.'
'German fans are used to English players turning it up in Germany,' fellow BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves said, referring to the likes of Jadon Sancho. 'We've got another one there [in Saka], outstanding.'
The pair also praised Joe Willock, another young Arsenal player who scored their first goal of the night thanks to a deflection.
'He arrives in the box for a young player really, really well,' said Hargreaves. 'He gets a bit fortunate but he's really positive in trying to make things happen.'
Meanwhile, Keown said it was a 'breakthrough moment' for the 20-year-old.
luzaikoyz
86
Keown did not say the kid is better than Pepe overall, but right the Game tonight. i agree to a greater extent. pepe need to compose Himeself better. we didn't get Him for dribbling competition
kasaprenko12
77
I will choose Pepe anytime any day ahead of Saka. Pepe just need a goal to kick off his season.
wiuklostz
57
Again this only goes to prove Emery must go!! Kieth, a goal scorer he sends on loan to Leeds, iwobi and Mhiki he sells one, and loans the other with option to buy and leaves the midfield with no engine and Xhaka! It's always the case, piss poor in the EPL and come UEFA his so termed baby the real guns are played. Emery out!!
Gunners4ever❤
52
Saka did better than pepe today. he atleast deserves to be on our bench in EPL games, and get a few cameo appearances too. Our next generation of young players are rising
apriltungnung
47
Well I won’t agree to this .. our young players are hungry n they need to make a mark to get to our starting XI ..if not they will end up like Jenkinson or to the extend of Iwobi whom we really love..so I would say it’s a fair play.. well Pepe on the other side..we need him n he’s gona adapt to EPL ..we don’t get him here for 72mil to just dribble..so give him sometime to adapt n grow with the plays hes getting..btw our coach EM has to adapt too so .. I feel positive n we will do better #coyg
Pawbklry
44
no one should ever make an error to compare Saka to Pepe this was a very easy game when it comes to big games That when we know Who is a player
babs_emar40
36
When you Change side as a player it's possible you won't perform at the same top level with your previous club so you need time but the player too needs to adapt as quick as possible that's showing your class. And as for saka he was wonderful tonight but 1 game is not enough to judge whether he is better than pepe or not. Players have good and bad days today is good for him lets be patient and watch him even more and see..
cipbkmorz
33
the influence of the goals in second half were more brought by the pepe respect the man plz .today wr have to say good eork to saka improve to approve pepe that you can but now he is still waching the steps in the ladder