'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has named Arsenal star Bukayo Saka as his best young player in the Premier League this season. The retired defender also explained why he chose the England international over Martin Odegaard.
Carragher believes the 24-year-old midfielder has passed the age requirement to be considered the best young star of the campaign.
The former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports:
"I love him [Saka]. I think he has been fantastic. Odegaard has been Arsenal's best player, I just did not pick Odegaard because he is too old - 24 seems too old to be the young player."
Saka has been in exceptional form for the Gunners this term. The England international has scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists in 37 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season. He has developed into one of the top wingers in the English top tier under Mikel Arteta.
Meanwhile, Odegaard has put on some incredible performances as well. The Norwegian midfielder has racked up 15 goals and eight assists in 36 league encounters this campaign.
He received the captain's armband ahead of the 2022/23 campaign and has showcased his leadership abilities this term.
The Gunners signed Odegaard from Real Madrid in 2021 for £30 million. He has registered over 100 appearances across all competitions for the North London outfit since his arrival.
Saka, on the other hand, is a product of Arsenal's youth academy, getting his first-team promotion through the grassroots.
"It is a sad day" - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaks after losing title race to Manchester City
A heated and emphatic title race between Arsenal and Manchester City this campaign has seen the reigning champions defend their crown. The Gunners suffered a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (May 20), allowing the Cityzens to clinch the title.
Arteta shouldered responsibility for the defeat and opened up about failing to break the club's 19-year wait for a title. The Spanish manager said (via 90min):
"First of all congratulations to Manchester City for winning the championship but it is a sad day for us. Now we have to face the reality, today we gave a goal away and we were not good enough to break them down. We could play for three hours and we would not have done it."
He added:
"It is my responsibility and I take it. When it is beautiful great, when it isn't, that is sport."
The Gunners will next face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates on May 28 in their final Premier League encounter of the season.
