"It's crazy to say that Bukayo Saka might be a few years away from his prime still," Bellerin told TNT Sports. "He's not in his prime and he's probably already better than 99% of players at their prime.

"I was part of the squad when he started to train with the first-team and you see how he's improved, how he enjoys football.

"He's a reference not just at Arsenal level but at country level. Mate, those things, for me, are just a massive prize and I become very emotional."

2018/19: 4 appearances, 0 goals 2019/20: 38 appearances: 4 goals 2020/21: 46 appearances: 7 goals 2021/22: 43 appearances: 12 goals 2022/23: 48 appearances: 15 goals 2023/24: 47 appearances: 20 goals The winger already has three goals this season, and that's on top of the seven goals he's assisted in his first 10 games of 2024/25.

The Gunners struggled to create clear chances even before going down to 10 men, and ended up losing 2-0 without their star man.

The hope is that he'll be back available for a Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk and a top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool this week.