A 19-year-old Bukayo Saka approached the Wembley penalty spot to take England’s fifth penalty in the European Football Championship final, the feeling was one of tension for England fans. For Arsenal fans, it was a little different. The nerves were there of course, but overwhelming happiness remained.
Bukayo Saka has been at Arsenal since the age of seven, coming through the Hale End Academy before eventually breaking into the first team in 2018. The young winger has grown from strength to strength since then and now is widely acknowledged to be one Europe’s greatest talents.
For many young people in this position, keeping grounded would be a struggle, and understandably so. But not for Saka. He regularly demonstrates his humble and kind nature and shows such maturity for his age.
The penalty didn’t end up where Saka and everyone watching from home wanted it to, but only one emotion still shone through. Pride. When the Arsenal youngster returned to training this week, he was greeted by a wall covered in letters and pictures sent by fans in support of their player. One sent in by a young fan described buying his favourite player an ice cream and letting him win their game of Football in the park.
At just 19, Saka has become a role-model for so many Arsenal fans, young and old. He carries such a positive aura around the club with his infectious smile. So much so that in a summer transfer window full of doubts over the club’s business and squad ahead of the new season, the sight of Saka walking in seemed to take those thoughts away. Somehow it feels the club can only go in a positive direction when a player like Bukayo Saka walks the halls in London Colney.
The return of Saka would no doubt have been a boost to his teammates too. Having a positive, warm presence in the changing room is imperative, as is having a competitive spirit to push each player to their best. Saka represents both of these qualities. For potential Arsenal signings, the chance to play alongside such a player is an attractive one and a definite pull factor.
New Arsenal centre-back Ben White named Saka when asked who he was most excited to play with, their relationship pre-existing from the England camp. Albert Sambi Lokonga, another new Arsenal man, also named Saka when asked a similar question.
For the young man now known as ‘star boy’ among the Arsenal faithful, the focus now turns to next season. Saka won Arsenal’s player of the season last season, this season he will be looking to further his performance and development. For much of the previous two seasons Saka has filled in at left-back when Kieran Tierney has struggled with injuries but with Arsenal signing a back-up in Nuno Tavares this summer, Saka will be free to focus on his new-found right-wing position.
While just 19, it is hard to find weaknesses in Saka’s game. The winger is very well rounded and excels in most departments. Perhaps the only significant flaw is finishing. Using the word ‘significant’ is not to say the finishing is bad. ‘Significant’ is to compare to Saka’s incredibly high standards. While he is two-footed, shots on goal can sometimes lack power and composure. This is something that will undoubtedly come with age however and it is thought when these traits come, Saka’s statistics will explode.
The term ‘franchise player’ comes from the USA. It refers to a player often the best on their team and one who the club will choose to build around. Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s ‘franchise player’. At just 19, the Hale End graduate is someone Arsenal turn to when times are tough. He is a big reason external players want to come to the club.
He is a character, a personality, and a player that Arsenal must build around.
Arsenal’s diamond and the fan’s treasure. We are so lucky to have him.