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From back-garden battles to Emirates hero: Saka's unwavering Arsenal journey
Bukayo Saka, the 24-year-old Arsenal winger and England international, has revealed the relentless drive and deep-rooted loyalty that have defined his rise from a seven-year-old academy recruit to a first-team talisman with 76 goals in 277 appearances. In a candid interview with The Football Interview ahead of Arsenal's Premier League showdown with Tottenham, Saka reflected on his unshakable bond with the club, his Nigerian heritage, and the lessons learned from injury that reshaped his approach to the game-and life.
The making of a one-club man
Saka's connection to Arsenal began in childhood, long before he pulled on the senior team's jersey. Recalling his first trial at Hale End, the club's famed academy, he described a fearless confidence that set the tone for his career. "I didn't feel an ounce of fear," he said. "I just played football, enjoyed it, and ended up in the A team." His father's insistence on joining Arsenal-drawn to Arsène Wenger's faith in youth and the club's style-proved pivotal. "He believed in the pathway," Saka explained. "You could see players progressing. It was perfect."
That pathway nearly hit a psychological roadblock when a youth coach warned his squad that "only one of you might make it." For Saka, the message wasn't daunting but clarifying: "It made me realize this isn't just about talent. You have to work for it." The moment crystallized his determination, a trait that would later earn him a place in Arsenal's 2020 FA Cup-winning side and England's back-to-back Euro final squads.
Legacy and the weight of expectation
With Arsenal atop the Premier League and chasing their first title since 2004, manager Mikel Arteta's recent comments underscored Saka's central role. "He wants to continue with us," Arteta said Friday, calling their relationship "healthy and powerful" and hinting at a contract extension. Saka, though, remains focused on the collective prize. "The journey I've had here, what I've become-it's something we want to maintain," he echoed, acknowledging the potential to "leave a legacy."
Beyond the pitch: Injury, introspection, and coffee art
A career-threatening injury last season forced Saka to confront football's physical and mental toll. Confined to crutches for a month, he discovered an unexpected silver lining: "You can't play, so you entertain yourself differently," he said. "It opened my brain to other sides of life." The experience prompted a deliberate shift toward balance, including solo walks in nature and a newfound passion for coffee-"part-time barista" status included. "I'm trying to learn the art," he admitted, laughing. "It's hard, but I'm getting better."
That introspection extends to his Nigerian roots, a source of pride reflected in his full name-Bukayo Moses Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka-and the values instilled by his parents, both raised in Nigeria. Childhood memories of frankfurter-and-ketchup hot cross buns, prepared by his father, still evoke nostalgia, though his diet has since evolved. "It helped me growing up," he said, grinning.
The dressing-room joker with a scholar's past
Despite his on-field intensity, Saka's teammates know him as the dressing room's resident prankster. "Have fun, smile, laugh every day-you can't miss that," he insisted. Yet his playful side coexists with a disciplined mind; he excelled academically, earning four A* and four A grades in his GCSEs. "I was good at understanding subjects quickly," he recalled, a skill that now aids his tactical awareness on the pitch.
Ambition and the art of switching off
As Arsenal's title chase intensifies, Saka's priorities are clear: "All the trophies-with Arsenal and England." But his definition of success has matured. "Where I am now, given the circumstances I grew up in and the challenges I've faced-still focused, motivated, and happy-that's something to be proud of," he reflected. The key, he's learned, is equilibrium. "Football is my life, but it's not just football. You need breaks to switch off."
Post-match, he eschews phone calls, opting to text his brother-his first point of contact after games. On rare days off, he savors solitude (morning walks), camaraderie (London restaurants with close friends), and the occasional shopping spree. "It's about enjoying the other aspects," he said, a philosophy that now underpins his approach to both sport and self.
"You can be humble and also believe you're good. I think I had that from young-but I was just enjoying the game."
Bukayo Saka, on balancing confidence and groundedness
What's next?
The immediate focus is Saturday's north London derby (BBC One, 23:45 GMT), a fixture Saka calls "one of the most beautiful games." Longer-term, his sights are set on silverware and a contract extension that would cement his status as an Arsenal icon. Yet his ultimate goal transcends trophies: "The player and person I was is completely different to now," he said. "You learn, you mature, you grow. But you've got to keep having fun."
