Bukayo Saka spoke about his pride at signing a new long-term deal with Arsenal.
The attacker is the ‘franchise player’ for his boyhood club after agreeing on a contract set to last until 2030 with a wage packet of more than £300,000 a week. He is a credit to Hale End academy, and the 24-year-old, who has been part of the whole process with Mikel Arteta, wants to win the big honours.
“I'm feeling amazing. I think it's a fantastic moment for me, for my family. I feel immense joy to continue my journey at this club. It was an easy commitment, and I just hope to win everything here.
“The journey I've been on since from where I started to where I am now and the journey the team's been on as well is a special one. In my head, I believe the next few years is going to be the years that we get over the line and the years that we're able to win trophies and make history for this club. We are back where we belong fighting for everything and for me it was it was an easy commitment.
“In the good moments, the bad moments, the support I feel from the fans, there's no words to describe it. When I go out for dinner, when I go on holiday, no matter where I go, I feel that love, that energy.
“In my heart, I just want to repay that. I hope when I go on the pitch, they see that I give everything and I just want to do everything to help bring glory back to this club, in whatever way I can help. I just hope they see that, and hopefully one day we'll be able to celebrate that achievement together.
*“For the first few times [wearing the armband] it was almost like a general shock when you get that. It's like you've been given that responsibility and it was a massive honour. I remember the first time clearly, it was at Stamford Bridge.*
“I wasn't having a great game, but I was like: ‘phew, I've got this armband, I’ve got to do something.’ I ended up getting an assist. That's what I meant having an adrenaline shock, it's a good feeling.
“Still to this day, every time I get to wear it, it's a massive honour. I just try to fulfil that role and do what's required of me.
“When I reflect at the end of my career, I want to be able to look back and see a kid that started aged seven, eight years old on trial for Arsenal and then went the whole way to win every trophy that there is available to win. That's the legacy that I want to create, and when I reflect at the end of my career, that's what I want to see. That would make me happy.”