Following his impressive breakthrough season, Bukayo Saka was rewarded with Arsenal’s iconic Number 7 shirt alongside is international dilemma as the youngster admits it will be challenging to choose between England & Nigeria.
In an interview with Sky Sports News, Saka discussed years rising through Hale End academy and stepping up into the first-team ranks. Bukayo is yet to receive call-ups from either of England or Nigeria but is attracting glances from both the associations. It is a decision that will require some careful considerations with Family members at the right time as Saka has emotional connections to both of em’.
“It’s a tough choice. I’m happy to have represented England at youth level but I’m also proud of my Nigerian heritage from my parents. We haven’t been picked by any team so it’s about staying humble and when the time comes we’ll make the decision,” Saka revealed.
England manager Gareth Southgate has some choices to make as talented teens coming up in Bukayo Saka, Mason Greenwood, while Jude Bellingham recently became the most expensive 17-year-old in history following his £25m move to Dortmund. The future of England lads appear sorted with elite clubs of Europe with their managers putting in faith in them for regular game-time.
“Greenwood and Bellingham have so much quality. Whether they are 18 or 28 or 38 they’ve got quality and when you’ve got quality you’re going to be in the team, providing you can apply the right attitude,” Saka said. “I feel the age isn’t really a factor because they’ve got maturity and quality beyond their years. That’s why they’re being trusted I believe.”
Like Unai Emery, Mikel Arteta also place ample of trust in young Bukayo Saka who is becoming a regular at Arsenal.
“Being young and at a big club if you are in the team over an experienced professional the manager is basically telling you without speaking that I believe in you. (He’s saying) go and do what you can do and that belief gives me so much confidence. Arteta is so detailed and clear and a lot of the players will tell you we are learning from him. I feel like we’re going in the right direction and we’re working hard to hit the ground running next season.”
Following penning his new contract, Bukayo netted his first Premier League goal and earlier this week was rewarded with Arsenal’s iconic No 7 shirt, previously worn by Robert Pires, Tomas Rosicky and David Rocastle.
“I was so excited to get it. It’s stuff you dream of and to think of the legends who have had it is such an honour. I liked the number growing up because some of the best players in the world have worn it. It shows how much confidence they have in me and I want to repay their faith and hopefully can write my own history in that shirt,” he said.
Saka has gone from watching Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goals to assisting him and explains how its like playing alongside such a clinical striker – probably he best Arsenal had since Thierry Henry.
Bukayo added: “In the academy we got tickets to watch (the first team) and I used to see him scoring goals. To now be playing with him is just amazing. You know he’s going to score a goal for us. He’s such a good guy who helps all the young players with advice and he’s also funny as well!”
The eighteen-year-old spoke much similarly about Thierry Henry, who spoke at Hale End couple of years back. Saka spoke about this particular session with Henry which was on his mind when he netted his first Premier League goal.
“His mindset was just so elite. He told us about a day that Arsenal were behind and he wouldn’t allow his team to lose before running past everyone to score! When he speaks to your face and you see in his eyes how passionate he is for the game and how much he wanted to win it shows why he was such a great player.
“You dream of trying to emulate a career like his. As a young player that just inspires you and that’s why scoring against Wolves meant so much to me.”Saka explained.
Arsenal and Saka have FA Cup final to play next weekend and he can emulate Norman Whiteside if he scores in the FA Cup final as an 18-year-old.
“The chance to win a trophy in my first full season is amazing. If you told me last year all of this would happen I wouldn’t have believed you! We have Watford to focus on first to try to build momentum. They are going to be fighting for their lives because they want to stay in the Premier League but we want to win.
“It would be a shame if we have to send them down but at Arsenal we have a winning mentality and want to win every game.”
