Bukayo Saka has spoken about the people who helped him settle in at Arsenal and guided him during the early years of his career.
The Arsenal winger is now 24, and he has grown into one of the club’s most trusted and effective players.
His quality has played a significant role in Arsenal’s progress in recent seasons as the team continues to push for major trophies.
Saka has supplied six goals for Arsenal this season across 14 matches.
Influence from senior figures
Saka looked back on the support he received when he first stepped into the senior squad.
In an interview with the BBC, he named David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as two figures who had a major impact on him.
He explained that their attitude towards him helped ease his move from the academy to the first team.
When asked to name the coach or former team-mate who has guided him the most, Saka said:
“It’s tough to say. I always speak about David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – they both helped me a lot coming into the team. The way they welcomed me, for me… I was quite quiet… obviously coming into Arsenal, these were like my heroes, players that I was watching from the stands and I get to play with them now, so it was a bit of a different experience for me and I didn’t know how to handle it. I didn’t want to rub anyone up the wrong way, so I just preferred to be a bit more quiet. But these guys… they welcomed me – it helped me feel myself – and gave me advice, and gave me confidence, that push. You could see it when I was on the pitch, the confidence I was playing with. It was definitely helped by them and obviously the rest of my team-mates as well – that helped me too.”
His words showed how much he valued the guidance and encouragement he received.
It also highlighted the effect of senior players on younger talents trying to find their place in a big club.
Saka proud of where he is today
The Winger also spoke about the moment that gives him the most pride in his career so far. He admitted that everything he has been through makes his current position feel special.
He further noted that he has faced many challenges and setbacks but stayed focused and motivated.
When asked about the proudest moment of his career, he said:
“I think I’d say where I am now. You know, the circumstances I grew up in and the ups and downs and the challenges, setbacks, or whatever that I’ve dealt with, and to still be here today and in the position I’m in, going strong, still focused, motivated, and happy. I think it’s probably something that gets overlooked and something I can definitely be proud of. As I get a bit older, you understand that sometimes you can’t always be fully invested in football 24/7. You need to have a good balance and give your mind some time to switch off as well and enjoy the other aspects of life too.”
Arsenal will welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates Stadium in the North London Derby as they continue their push for the Premier League title.
Arsenal have picked up 26 points from 11 matches and sit four points behind Manchester City in second place. A victory over Spurs would strengthen their hold at the top.