One of the most promising talents at Arsenal academy, Bukayo Saka made his first full senior start for Gunners in their dead-rubber Europa League victory over Qarabag.
The Anglo-Nigerian was the stand out performer creating loads of chances and nearly marking his first senior game with a goal. He admitted his full senior debut appearance was a ‘dream come true’ game.
Unai Emery shuffled the pack for the Europa League fixture, including drafting Laurent Koscielny who made his comeback after overcoming a serious Achilles injury but it was 17-year-old Saka who stole the show. But, Who is he?
Player Profile
Name: Bukayo Saka
Date of Birth: September 5, 2001 (age 17)
Position: Forward – Left winger
Nationality: England
Height: 1.78m
Rejecting our nearest rival, Bukayo Saka joined for Arsenal at the age of nine. The England Under-19 international is another sensation coming up Arsenal’s rank. He was given a professional contract by Gunners in September as soon as he turned 17.
A natural left-winger with technical brilliance accompanied by pace, directness and knowledge of when to link play and when to drive at the opposition defence shows why he is a special talent.
Born and raised in London, Saka is of Nigerian descent and has represented England U-19s three times, along with previous appearances for the U-18s, U-17s and U-16s.
He can also feature as left-back, but from what I watched last night he has to be someone I’m very excited about although I would want him playing upfront any day.
What clubs did he rejected to sign for Arsenal?
“I had invitations from Spurs, Chelsea, Fulham and Watford but the only choice was Arsenal,” said Saka, as reported by Football London.
“I enjoyed the way that Arsenal played so the choice was easy for me.”
With whom he has been compared?
English former footballer, Michael Owen compares Arsenal’s prospect with Cristiano Ronaldo:
He said: ‘He looked really nervous at the start of the game, myself and Martin [Keown] were both talking about it.
‘But he certainly grew into the game. Just him having the courage to run at players was really refreshing to see.
‘Some of the skill… I watched Ronaldo doing this the other day for Juventus.
‘He’s just different class and by the end of the game, his confidence was oozing.’
Watch: BUKAYO SAKA’S ‘IMPRESSIVE’ PERFORMANCE AGAINST QARABAG
