Bukayo Saka joined the youth setup at the young age of 7. Now twenty-four, he has established himself in the first team, scoring seventy-six goals in over 270 games and gaining the hearts of supporters.
He was part of the Arsenal team that made it to the Europa League final in 2019 and claimed the FA Cup in 2020. He also contributed to the national team reach back-to-back European Championship finals.
In the current campaign, Saka could add another highlight as Arsenal leads the English top flight, chasing their initial championship since 2004. The club is optimistic that the England player will agree to a new contract.
The manager commented, "I know that he wants to continue with us. I think, it's a strong and powerful relationship."
He added, "The journey that he has taken at the club, and his development, is something we want to keep. I think that is an aspect that is going to create a lasting impact at this club and he must embrace that responsibility."
Starting Out and Love for the Game
In response about his choice of sport, the athlete said, "The sport is joy to me, so from the time I realised that it was there, it was my only desire to do."
He added, "For me, there was no alternative. Perhaps in my parents' view—naturally they tried to ensure I had a plan B, which is sensible—but for me, it was just football."
The earliest recollection of playing the game was in his back garden with his brother and dad. "We played two against one, in fact. I faced them, and they're both older than me. I would never lose. I would not accept it. I would cry, I tried everything, and that started early."
Early Football Days
Saka recalled his initial club, Greenford Celtic. "It's all clear, from the uniform to the matches. The kit was green with white—it had a emblem. We played in a local park, after the game—shoes dirty totally and you'd tap them on trees. Proper football. That was a significant phase of my life and I enjoyed it."
He joined the team at around 6 years old. When asked of when he realised he was quite good, he noted, "You can be humble and also think that you're talented as well. In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with both and they can both be together. And I think I had that from young, but I didn't focus about it. I loved the game and I was skilled. So it enhanced the enjoyment."
Arsenal Journey
Regarding his entry to the club, Saka recalled, "I remember my dad informing me I got scouted because it was different... you got a scout card—scouts would have come to observe me at a community club... and they handed my father a card and said: 'Call me, we'll arrange a tryout.' So I recall first coming into Hale End—my initial test. I didn't even feel nervousness. I thought, 'I'm just going to enjoy the game, just enjoy it' and I played so good. I believe I trialled at the reserve side. My performance was strong they moved me in the A team, and from there joined and I've been at Arsenal ever since."
Inquiring if it was always Arsenal for him, he answered, "Yeah. Back then, the decisions were largely taken by your parents. I was young, you don't really know, do you know what I'm saying? He made it clear to me 'Arsenal is the club I want you at', and I said: 'OK, let's go.'"
Saka detailed why his dad preferred Arsenal: "He trusted Arsenal, saw the opportunity, and it was apparent. You could see players, and with Arsene Wenger at the time—how much he believed in the youth system, how much he wanted to utilize the setup, and also the class that Arsenal have and the style that they employ. So all of that was just ideal for him and he desired me to be here."
Fan to Player
On the experience of being an Arsenal fan playing for the team, he said, "It is a realized aspiration. Naturally growing up, going to the stadium and seeing Arsenal compete in various matches and to currently being the one on the pitch and everyone cheering for you and all the stuff that accompanies it. Family that used to talk about Arsenal... and I'm the subject. Numerous elements of it that create its charm and I'm just enjoying every moment to this day."
He confirmed he used to come and watch Arsenal as a kid. When asked of demands for passes, he joked, "Ask the boys!"
Academy Challenges
Thinking back from his academy days, he said, "I recall being in the locker room once—we just played a game, our side was so good. We just smashed the other team. The coach came in, I think it was a staff member, and he came in: 'Listen, boys... look around... it's an amazing team, but only one of you is going to make it, possibly two.' And I just remember that day just thinking, 'oh my God, it must be me. It should be me'."
Saka continued, "Yeah. Perhaps coaches, they may not inform all the boys because some boys, it can create anxiety into them. It might make them a less assured. But for me, it highlighted that this is not going to be smooth and roses always. You have to work for this and, for me, it was beneficial."
Guides and Role Models
Regarding key people, he said, "It's tough to say. I always speak about a former teammate and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang—they each assisted me a lot coming into the team. Their reception me, for me... I kept to myself... obviously coming into Arsenal, they were my idols, athletes that I was viewing from the stands and I now compete with them today, so it was a unique situation for me and I didn't know how to handle it. I didn't want to offend anyone, so I just preferred to be a reserved. But these guys... accepted me—it let me be comfortable—and gave me advice, and boosted my self-belief, that push. It showed when I was on the pitch, the confidence I was playing with. It was aided by them and of course the rest of my team-mates as well—that helped me too."
Personal Life
On his full name, he said, "My name is Bukayo Saka." He shared pride in his Nigerian roots, noting "I'm very proud of those. Both my parents grew up in Nigeria, so a many principles are part of me."
Recalling a usual routine in his childhood, he said, "At home I just remember, naturally, waking up, we'd have breakfast. Mother would normally have gone to work, my dad was usually present. And if he had to go to work, it was just me and my brother, but they'd always leave us breakfast. Hot cross bun, sausage, like a sausage cut up. Sausage... It and some ketchup. That was my meal. Slice the bun, you cut the sausage up, put it in the bread, then put ketchup, then close the hot cross bun. Unreal, unreal. Thanks to my father, mother, unsure whose idea it was."
Saka said he doesn't eat that now. On school, he stated, "I was quite bright at school. I felt I was able to take the knowledge on rapidly. I was good at understanding it, various topics that they were teaching and teaching. So, yes, I would say I was a good learner."
His GCSEs were approximately four top grades and four high marks. "I can't remember exactly, but it's online somewhere," he added.
Life Off the Pitch
On the subject of who he contacts post-match, he explained, "It varies. I'm not a big phone-call person|call enthusiast
