Rio Ferdinand Names The Two Players Arsenal Need To “Build The Club Around”

Rio Ferdinand Names The Two Players Arsenal Need To “Build The Club Around”

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal must look to build the team around the likes of Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock if they are to improve as a club.

Saka signed a new four-year contract with the Gunners last week, as well as scoring in the 2-0 win over Wolves at the weekend. Willock also made a telling contribution after coming on as a substitute at Molineux by providing the assist for Arsenal’s second.


Ferdinand insists the London club need players like the pair who are fully committed to the cause:

“I think Arsenal need people with the right attitude, right characters and people that want to be at the club. Looking at his statement, he buys into the philosophy, and he wants to move forward with the club.

“I would build the club around him, around players like Willock. The badge means something to these boys. They need to move forward together.”

Saka’s new deal is a massive boost for head coach Mikel Arteta and the Gunners. The winger is the future of the club and tieing down the 18-year-old for the long term is a statement of intent.

Willock does, though, have more work to do to convince supporters he is worthy of a regular first-team place but his cameo performance on Saturday was certainly impressive.