Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is no longer the polite academy graduate who sparkles on the wing
Not for the first time this season, Bukayo Saka was the first man on the scene when an opponent attempted to intimidate one of his Arsenal team-mates. As Jurrien Timber was kicked to the ground at the London Stadium on Saturday, Saka charged down the touchline, threw his weight into Emerson Palmieri and then shoved the West Ham defender away.
Saka had done something similar against Tottenham Hotspur in September. As Spurs players attempted to grapple with Timber, the England winger sprinted towards the action before anyone else, pushing the opposition and snarling in their faces.
Against Chelsea last month, too, Saka showed he would not allow his team-mates to be bullied. After 17 minutes at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo smashed into Martin Odegaard with venomous force. Four minutes later, Saka body-slammed Caicedo, pitching him face first into the turf. Retribution had been delivered.
Caicedo smashes Odegaard
Martin Odeggard took a serious blow from Moises Caicedo in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea . . .
Saka smashes Caicedo
. . . Saka responds by slamming into Caicedo – pitching the Chelsea player into the turf
On each of these occasions, the message from Saka to his opponents was clear: if you go for my team-mates, I will go for you.
Such a ferocious, competitive attitude provides the ultimate evidence that Saka is no longer the player he was. More than six years have passed since he made his first-team debut for Arsenal, a polite young man who had excelled in his exams and had been endearingly dubbed “little chilli” by his more senior team-mates.
These days, no one would describe Saka as “little”. Even his other nickname, “starboy”, feels increasingly inappropriate. At the age of 23, Saka is not a boy anymore — and he certainly does not carry himself like one, either.
This mentality shift has been gradual and natural, but it has accelerated rapidly since the European Championship this summer. Those who know Saka say he returned to Arsenal with a different look in his eye, and a stronger determination to drive his team forward.
Winger is part of leadership group
After back-to-back defeats in European Championship finals, and back-to-back second-place finishes in the Premier League, Saka has had enough of falling short in his pursuit of major trophies. “It has been like that for two seasons now,” he said in September. “So, it hurts even more.”
Saka describes this motivational force as his “hunger”. It is a powerful fuel and it has helped him to become a leader of Mikel Arteta’s side. He is now a member of the club’s leadership group and this season has regularly worn the captain’s armband.
An indication of his seniority is that Saka is also becoming more of a spokesperson for the club. Before their heavyweight clash with Manchester City this season, it was Saka who spoke to the travelling journalists in Atalanta. When Arsenal faced Inter Milan in the first match since the resignation of sporting director Edu, it was Saka who was chosen to do the press conference. Internally, where he is known as “B”, Saka is no longer regarded as an up-and-coming youngster.
Asked on Tuesday, ahead of Arsenal’s midweek meeting with Manchester United, about the changes in Saka over the years, Arteta said: “You can tell. The way he presents himself, the way he talks, the decisions that he makes. He has a massive role in the team. He is the main figure, with two or three players, at the club.
“He is a very established player right now and he is deciding matches for us. He has earned the right to be that way, but at the same time he has stayed so humble, close and charming to everybody.”
Arteta, for his part, is constantly challenging Saka to further develop his leadership qualities. For months they have been talking about such matters, with Arteta speaking recently about giving Saka “the tools” required for him to be a figurehead for the team.
It almost goes without saying that Saka has been leading by example, on the pitch, for years. In terms of performances and on-field decisiveness, he has long been a reference point for club and country. But sources insist there is something different about him this season, in his mind and his body.
Part of this is because he has, quite literally, grown up. Saka is getting bigger, stronger and more powerful by the week. He is more able to withstand aggressive full-backs, and more capable of standing up for himself and his team-mates. Not so long ago, defenders queued up to kick him. Now, they know they might bounce off him – or get kicked back.
At Villa Park in August, for example, Saka thumped into Villa full-back Lucas Digne with such power that the Frenchman’s whole body left the ground. He did so in front of the travelling Arsenal fans, and responded to his own tackle by roaring towards them and pumping his fists. It was pure macho energy, from a player who has not been associated with such qualities.
Saka and Digne
Arsenal winger was determined to face off against Lucas Digne . . .
Saka smashes Digne
. . . Saka collided into Villa full-back with such force that Digne’s body left the ground
Saka roars to away fans
. . . Saka encouraged Arsenal fans after he pressed Digne out of play
Arteta has never allowed Saka to feel sorry for himself when he has been targeted by opponents. If anything, the Arsenal manager has done the opposite. Instead of complaining about the treatment Saka receives, Arteta regularly tells his winger to deal with the problem himself.
“There are many ways to protect yourself on a football pitch,” Arteta said last year. “He needs to learn and improve that. It is something he needs to do.”
The sense within Arsenal is that Arteta is always poking and pushing Saka, preventing him from becoming complacent. Arteta always wants more from Saka, and, in turn, Saka always wants more from himself.
With regard to his output in the final third, especially, Saka is aware of the importance of notching even more goals and assists. In that regard, this season has so far been his best yet. After 18 matches in all competitions, he has been involved in 18 goals — seven goals and 11 assists.
Saka aims to emulate Ronaldo
Saka’s boyhood hero was Cristiano Ronaldo, another winger who learned to be ruthless in the penalty box. Saka still has a long way to go to reach Ronaldo’s levels, but it speaks volumes of his ability and attitude that his team-mates and coaches believe he is heading in that direction. Jorginho, the Arsenal midfielder, said this week that he saw Saka as capable of winning the Ballon d’Or.
“The way Cristiano started his career, and when he joined Manchester United, probably nobody expected him to do that [score and create so many goals],” Arteta said. “It was about his mentality, his work ethic, how he developed his skill, his chemistry with his team, and to play in a team that has the capacity to be dominant is very, very important. I think B has got that context and is heading for that.”
The Premier League assist record of 20, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, is now in Saka’s sights. After 13 matches, he is already halfway there. He is also the leading assist-maker in Europe’s top five leagues.
Such statistics and records are an indicator of progress but they are not his driving force, though. Saka has made it clear what he wants: trophies. Collective success. He has journeyed from the academy to the first team, from a boy into a man, and he knows better than anyone that winning major honours will be his next, most important step.
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