27 March 2023 , 14:56
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Manchester United winger Antony has been told he cannot be seriously compared to Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka by former Premier League winner Chris Sutton.
The Brazilian has struggled at times since making the move to Manchester from Ajax last summer and has had to deal with the added pressure of his price tag. The Red Devils forked out an astonishing £88million to oversee Antony's reunion with his Erik ten Hag after their shared spell at the Dutch giants but he has done little to justify such a fee so far.
In 14 Premier League games, the 23-year-old has registered just three goals and zero assists. To make matters worse, all three of Antony's goals came in his first three league outings, which means after a fast start the wide-forward has not found the net domestically since early October last year.
Through a mix of persistent injuries and a decline in form, Antony's performances have flattered to deceive and even led some sections of the United fanbase to question whether it was a transfer worth completing, let alone for the amount of money paid.
In stark contrast, Saka is enjoying yet another stellar campaign for league-leaders Arsenal and despite being two years Antony's junior is already being heralded as the best right-winger in the Premier League on current form.
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That's certainly what Sutton believes, as he told the Mail that Arsenal's number seven is currently operating at a higher level than some of the biggest names.
HAVE YOUR SAY!Is Sutton's assessment of Antony fair? Comment below
Antony has been told he isn't on the same level as Bukayo Saka just yet"Saka is winning the battle on the right," Sutton explained. "[Mohamed] Salah has not been the same footballing force for Liverpool this season. [Riyad] Mahrez is incredibly talented for Man City but I would rank Saka ahead of him."
The former Blackburn star left his most scathing comment for United's marquee summer signing, as he added: "And I won’t be taking any suggestions of Antony seriously — the United man probably has Saka posters hanging on his bedroom wall!"
Saka has undeniably enjoyed the better of the two meetings United have had with Arsenal this season.
Both players bagged goals in the 3-1 win for the Red Devils at Old Trafford, but Saka's thunderous strike during the 3-2 Gunners win at the Emirates was something special.
The Arsenal academy graduate will have his full focus on trying to end his side's 19-year wait for a league title over the next 10 games, a feat that if achieved would cement his status as one of the best in the Premier League.
Antony has some way to go before he can claim to have had the kind of impact Saka has over at the Emirates, but the Brazilian may use Sutton's taunts as motivation to silence the critics after a hit-and-miss debut season at Old Trafford.