Bukayo Saka names his best Arsenal team-mate – and it isn't Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard

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Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka raised eyebrows by snubbing Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard when asked to name his finest team-mate. And in fact, the England ace opted out of choosing a member of the current Gunners squad entirely.

Despite being just 24, Saka is now the elder statesman at the Emirates and the longest-serving player in Mikel Arteta's setup. Many players have passed through the doors since Unai Emery handed him his professional debut back in November 2018, yet one name shines brightest as his most influential colleague.

While this season's squad have mounted arguably the strongest Premier League title challenge of the Arteta era so far, it's a figure from Saka's earlier days who remains at the top of his list. Rather than any current team-mate, Saka plumped for Mesut Ozil as the Arsenal player who left the greatest impression on him.

"High quality player," said the winger while speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily when asked to give one name above all others. "Fun to play with him, fun to watch him."

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The mere mention of the German's name is likely to sit uncomfortably with some supporters. That's due to the circumstances surrounding Ozil's departure in January 2021.

Despite being adored by the fanbase for much of his spell in north London following his move from Real Madrid in 2013, Ozil's time at the Emirates ended bitterly. Arteta left the No. 10 out of his squads at the outset of the 2020/21 campaign before his deal was terminated six months early in January 2021, with the playmaker subsequently joining Fenerbahce.

Despite that underwhelming conclusion, the mark he left on Saka remained substantial. This season's tribute wasn't the first time the England international expressed his admiration for the German's influence.

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"He plays in his own world," Saka told Football Focus of his former team-mate back in 2023. "Some of the things he does, and you look at him, just wow."

Only a select few players in the current Arsenal squad enjoyed the privilege of featuring alongside Ozil. Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are the fortunate trio who shared the pitch with Arsenal's 2015/16 Player of the Season.

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During Ozil's spell at the Emirates, the Gunners claimed four FA Cups, with three of those triumphs coming under Arsene Wenger. Having witnessed a first-team icon achieve such wonders, largely while he was in the academy, it's understandable why Saka might hold his former colleague in such high regard.

Yet with an opportunity to finally break the club's 22-year league title drought this term, supporters will be hoping he has a new best team-mate come this summer. And with Rice strongly positioned to claim the PFA Player of the Year award , his fellow England stalwart may well be a leading contender.