Rio Ferdinand and Arsenal fans exchange banter during flight to Porto after his Saka world class comments

The former Manchester United defender and TNT Sports pundit had previously voiced his opinion that Arsenal's Bukayo Saka wasn't "world-class yet," despite a standout season.

This comment sparked a playful reaction from the Gunners' supporters en route to Arsenal's crucial Champions League fixture against Porto.

Caught in a sea of football banter, Ferdinand took to the intercom to address the Arsenal faithful directly. His words, as reported by the Sun, "Hello guys, I just want to say it's been an absolute pleasure to have you Arsenal fans.

"I must say, Saka is a fantastic player, just not world-class yet. He will be one day but just not yet," were met with laughter and chants, showcasing the pundit's good humour in the face of teasing.

The focus of the jest, Bukayo Saka, has indeed had an impressive season, contributing 15 goals and 13 assists in 32 appearances for Mikel Arteta's squad.

His performance is a beacon of hope as Arsenal looks to make a significant impact in their first Champions League knockout stage appearance since the 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in 2017.

A victory over Porto would mark Arsenal's return to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, a milestone eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike.