Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Ayoyinka T. M. Saka (born 5 September 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger, left-back or midfielder for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team. Saka is known for his attacking incisiveness and creativity, he is often considered one of the best young football players in the world.[4][5]

Bukayo Saka
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-09-05) 5 September 2001[1]
Place of birth Ealing, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Winger, left-back, midfielder[3]
Club information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 7
Youth career
Greenford Celtic
Watford
0000–2018 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018– Arsenal 93 (17)
National team‡
2017 England U16 2 (1)
2017–2018 England U17 9 (0)
2018–2019 England U18 5 (1)
2018–2019 England U19 10 (4)
2020– England U21 1 (0)
2020– England 14 (4)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  England
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up2020
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:15, 1 May 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:00, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

With Arsenal, he has won an FA Cup and an FA Community Shield, progressively becoming one of Arsenal's most prolific and influential players.[6] Following the 2020−21 season, he was named as Arsenal's player of the season.[7]

Saka has represented England at many youth levels, scoring six goals in 27 youth caps. He was first called up to the senior team on 1 October 2020[8] and made his debut in a friendly against Wales eight days later, starting the match which ended in a 3–0 victory.[9]

Early life

Saka was born in Ealing, Greater London to Nigerian parents[10] and attended Edward Betham Church of England Primary School[11] before Greenford High School,[12] where he gained high grades in his GCSEs, achieving four A*s and three As.[13] Prior to joining Arsenal, Saka played youth football for local club Greenford Celtic.[14] His parents emigrated to London from Nigeria as economic migrants.[15] In an interview, Saka stated the importance of his father in his footballing career: "He's a massive inspiration for me. From when I was young, he always kept me grounded, kept me humble."[16]

His name "Bukayo" originates from the Yoruba language spoken in southern Nigeria, meaning "adds to happiness".[17]

Club career

Arsenal

Having previously played for youth teams of Watford,[18] Saka joined Arsenal's Hale End academy[19] at the age of seven.[20] Once he turned 17 years old, Saka was given a professional contract by Arsenal and promoted to the under-23 side.[19] On 29 November 2018, Saka made his senior competitive debut for Arsenal in their Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava, he came on as a 68th minute substitute for Aaron Ramsey.[21] On 13 December 2018, Saka made his first full home debut for Arsenal in their Europa League match against Qarabağ.[22] On 1 January 2019, Saka made his debut in the Premier League in a 4–1 win against Fulham after coming on for Alex Iwobi in the 83rd minute.[23] He became the first player born in the 21st century to play in a Premier League match.[24]

2019–20: Breakthrough and FA Cup win

Saka scored his first senior goal on 19 September, curling a fine effort from long range into the corner away to German side Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa League. He finished the match with two assists also to his name in a 3–0 win.[25] Saka was rewarded for his efforts in Germany with his first Premier League start, in a 3–2 home win over Aston Villa. He then registered an assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, setting up Arsenal's equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United.[26]

Following injuries to Sead Kolašinac and Kieran Tierney, Saka began to establish himself as a regular in the Arsenal first team at left-back. On 27 January 2020, he scored the opening goal in Arsenal's 2–1 FA Cup fourth round victory at Bournemouth after finishing a 22-pass move, as well as assisting the second goal, scored by Eddie Nketiah. The goal was later voted goal of the round by the BBC.[27] After a two-week mid-season break, Saka marked his return to action at home to Newcastle United with an assist for Nicolas Pépé's goal.[28] He then set up Alexandre Lacazette for his ninth assist of the season in a 1–0 win at Olympiacos in the UEFA Europa League.[29] He then hit double figures for assists that season after crossing in for Nketiah in a thrilling 3–2 home win against Everton.[30] Additional strong performances against Portsmouth and West Ham United further strengthened his grip in the first team.

On 1 July 2020, Saka signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.[31] Head coach Mikel Arteta praised Saka and said: "I think he represents every value that this football club stands for. He has come through the academy, and earned his respect with hard work and accountability and you can see the progression that he is having as a player but as well as a person."[32] He scored his first Premier League goal for the club against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a half volley beating goalkeeper Rui Patrício, in a 2–0 win.[33] He was an unused substitute as Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2–1 to win their 14th FA Cup.[34] He came third in the vote for the Arsenal Player of the Season award in the 2019–20 season.[35]

2020–21: Arsenal Player of the Season

On 29 August 2020, Saka was in the starting 11 and registered an assist in the 2020 FA Community Shield, which Arsenal clinched a 5–4 victory over Liverpool in the penalty shoot-out after the match was 1–1 after 90 minutes.[36] On 26 December 2020, he scored his third Premier League goal on his 40th appearance in a 3–1 win over Chelsea.[37] Due to his stellar performance in December 2020, he was later voted as the Player of the Month on the Arsenal official website.[38] He was voted as the Player of the Month again in January, having scored three goals and provided one assist in six appearances across all competitions, in which his goal against West Brom was voted as the runner-up of Arsenal's Goal of the Month.[39][40] Saka was named Player of the Month for the third time in February after contributing one goal and two assists, claiming 48 percent of the votes.[41]

On 6 March 2021, Saka made his 50th Premier League appearance for Arsenal in a 1–1 draw against Burnley; he is the second youngest player in club history to reach that milestone.[42] On 15 April, Saka scored a goal and helped Arsenal to a 4–0 victory over Slavia Prague in the quarter final of the Europa League. After his fine performance, he was named as the Europa League Player of the Week.[43][44] He finished the season with seven goals and seven assists in 46 appearances across all competitions, as he was voted Arsenal Player of the Season,[45] having come in third the previous campaign. He also was named in the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Season. [46]

2021–22

Saka scored his first goal of the new campaign in a 6–0 EFL Cup second round win away to West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in late August.[47] He scored his first Premier League goal of the season in September against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, whilst also providing an assist in a 3–1 win.[48] On 30 October against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, Saka made his 100th appearance for Arsenal, marking the occasion with an assist in a 2–0 win.[49] On Boxing Day 2021, Saka scored his first senior brace as Arsenal beat Norwich City 5–0 at Carrow Road. In doing so, Saka became the second youngest player, after Nicolas Anelka, to score 10 Premier League goals for Arsenal.[50]

International career

Saka represented England at under-16, under-17,[51] under-18,[52] under-19 and under-21 level.[53]

In May 2018, he was included in the England under-17 squad as they hosted the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[54] The hosts were eliminated by the Netherlands at the semi-final stage on a penalty shoot-out, although Saka scored his spot kick.[55]

In September 2018, Saka scored the winner for the England under-18 team in an away game against France.[52] In November 2018, Saka received his first call-up to the England under-19 team.[56] He scored on his debut at that age level in a qualifier against Moldova.[57]

On 4 September 2020, Saka made his debut for England U21s during a 6–0 victory away to Kosovo.[58] On 1 October, Saka was called up to the England senior squad for the first time,[59] and made his international debut as one of the starters in a 3–0 victory over Wales.[60] Having played four times for England, Saka is now tied to England internationally and can no longer represent Nigeria.[61]

On 1 June 2021, he was named in the 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2020. On 2 June, in a friendly against Austria, Saka scored his first senior international goal, the only goal in a 1–0 win.[62] He started in England's third Euro 2020 group stage match on 22 June against the Czech Republic, and was named the man of the match.[63] On 11 July, in the tournament final against Italy, Saka was brought on as a substitute for Kieran Trippier. Following full time and extra time, Saka was chosen to take the team's fifth penalty during the subsequent shoot-out, his first penalty kick at senior level.[64] Saka's effort was saved by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and, as a result, Italy won the shoot-out and the tournament.[65] Saka faced racist abuse online after missing the penalty.[66][67] On 15 July, Saka said in an Instagram post that he "knew instantly the kind of hate" he was going to receive after his penalty was saved, adding: "... and that is a sad reality that your powerful platforms are not doing enough to stop these messages."[68]

Personal life

Asked what he would be if not a footballer, Saka said he would be a basketball player or an actor. His favorite actor growing up was Will Smith and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is his favorite show. His favorite footballer of all-time is Thierry Henry and he cites Alexis Sanchez as an influence, saying he even tried to copy Sanchez's boots when he was an academy player. Among past teammates, Saka said David Luiz helped him the most in his career, saying "he went out of his way" to help a lot of Arsenal youngsters "on and off the pitch."[69]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 1 May 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal U21 2018–19[70] —————4[lower-alpha 1]141
Arsenal 2018–19[71] Premier League1010002[lower-alpha 2]0—40
2019–20[72] Premier League26141206[lower-alpha 2]2—384
2020–21[73] Premier League 32520209[lower-alpha 2]21[lower-alpha 3]0467
2021–22[74] Premier League 34111041——3912
Total 931781811741012723
Career total 931781811745113124
  1. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearance in FA Community Shield

International
As of match played 15 November 2021[75]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 202040
2021104
Total144
As of match played 15 November 2021
England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Saka goal[75]
List of international goals scored by Bukayo Saka
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
12 June 2021Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England5 Austria1–01–0Friendly[76]
25 September 2021Wembley Stadium, London, England11 Andorra4–04–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification[77]
39 October 2021Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella, Andorra12 Andorra2–05–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification[78]
415 November 2021San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino14 San Marino10–010–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification[79]

Honours

Arsenal

England

Individual

References
  1. "Bukayo Saka: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  2. "Bukayo Saka: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  3. Dowdeswell, Andrew (9 July 2020). "Arsenal: Where is Bukayo Saka's best position?". Pain in the Arsenal. Fansided. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  4. "Who are the 39 best male players age 21 or under?". ESPN.com. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  5. Collings, Simon (27 April 2021). "Bukayo Saka named Young Player of the Year at London Football Awards". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  6. "Opinion: Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have taken their game to the next level as Arsenal continue rise". Eurosport. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  7. "Arsenal Player of the Season: In first place..." Arsenal F.C. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  8. "Saka receives first England call-up". Arsenal F.C. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  9. "Internationals: Saka makes England debut". Arsenal F.C. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  10. Oludare, Shina (8 July 2020). "Saka: Ikpeba wants Arsenal star invited to Super Eagles". Goal.com. Perform Group. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  11. "Issue 33 – 17th June 2019" (PDF). Edwardbetham.ealing.sch.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  12. Watts, Charles; Clementine, Katherine (13 December 2018). "Arsenal FC's Bukayo Saka: The young Ealing-born player making his senior debut". MyLondon. Reach. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  13. Ellery, Ben. "England star Bukayo Saka was a real role model, says PE teacher". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  14. "'I'm crying writing this': Final good luck messages for England's stars - by those who know them best". The Telegraph. 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  15. "10 things you may not know about Bukayo Saka – Arsenal's new number 7". GiveMeSport. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  16. Benge, James (20 September 2019). "Ljungberg, Ronaldo and his father – The men who made Saka". Football.London. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  17. Hendrix, Hale (5 October 2019). "Bukayo Saka Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts". LifeBogger. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  18. Berrill, Lewis (9 July 2021). "Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho's time at Watford FC". Watford Observer. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  19. Wheatley, Chris (20 November 2018). "Meet Bukayo Saka: The latest Arsenal academy star making a name for himself". Goal.com. Perform Group. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  20. "Why Saka could be a future Arsenal captain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  21. "Vorskla vs Arsenal". Soccerway.
  22. "Bukayo Saka thrilled to make Arsenal debut in Europa League win". Sports Love Me. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  23. "Arsenal news: Emery excited by Saka's Arsenal debut". Goal.com. Perform Group. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  24. "Saka breaks new ground for class of 2001". Premier League.
  25. "Arsenal beat Eintracht in opener". Bbc.com.
  26. "Arsenal hold Man Utd at Old Trafford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  27. "FA Cup: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka strike voted goal of the fourth round". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  28. "Arsenal 4–0 Newcastle: Gunners beat Magpies to end run of draws". BBC Sport. 16 February 2020.
  29. "Olympiakos 0–1 Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette helped by team-mates' support, says Mikel Arteta". BBC Sport. 21 February 2020.
  30. "Arsenal 3–2 Everton: Aubameyang nets twice as Arsenal beat Everton in thriller". BBC Sport. 23 February 2020.
  31. "Bukayo Saka signs new long-term contract". Arsenal F.C. 1 July 2020.
  32. "'He represents every value this club stands for'". Arsenal F.C. 1 July 2020.
  33. "A week I will remember for life – Saka". Bbc.co.uk.
  34. "2020 Heads Up FA Cup Final: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea". The Football Association. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  35. "Arsenal Player of the Season: In third place..." Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  36. "Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool (5-4 on penalties)". The Football Association. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  37. "Arsenal 3–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 26 December 2020.
  38. "🏆 Saka is our December Player of the Month! 😎". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  39. "🏆 Saka is our Player of the Month... again!". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  40. "Kieran Tierney tops January Goal of the Month poll". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  41. "🏆🏆🏆 Saka makes it a hat-trick of POM awards!". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  42. "Xhaka error gifts Burnley point". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  43. Dean, Sam; Zeqiri, Daniel (15 April 2021). "Impressive Arsenal tear Slavia Prague apart to set up Unai Emery reunion". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  44. "Saka bags Europa League award after Slavia Prague display". Yardbarker. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  45. "Arsenal Player of the Season: In first place... | Player of the season | News". Arsenal.com. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  46. "Nominees for 2020/21 Hublot Young Player of the Season". Premierleague.com. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  47. "West Brom 0-6 Arsenal: Aubameyang stars as Gunners secure first win of season". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  48. McNulty, Phil (25 September 2021). "Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham: Gunners defeat north London rivals at Emirates Stadium". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  49. Sutcliffe, Steve (30 October 2021). "Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta's side extend unbeaten run with fine victory over Foxes". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  50. "Norwich 0-5 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta's two-year anniversary with Gunners marked with thumping win". Sky Sports. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  51. "Bukayo Saka at UEFA U17". UEFA. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  52. "England U18s beat hosts France to seal Limoges title with three wins from three games". The Football Association. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  53. "Bukayo Saka at UEFA U19". UEFA. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  54. "England U17s squad revealed for U17 Euro finals on home turf". The Football Association. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  55. "England 0–0 Netherlands". UEFA. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  56. "England U19s squad named as they begin their Euro campaign with qualifiers in Turkey". The Football Association. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  57. "Bukayo Saka scores on England Under-19 debut". Arsenal F.C. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  58. "Young Lions extend winning run thanks to second-half onslaught in Kosovo". The Football Association. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  59. "England squad: Dominic Calvert-Lewin called up but Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden left out". BBC Sport. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  60. McNulty, Phil (8 October 2020). "England 3–0 Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  61. Price, Steve. "FIFA Eligibility Rule Change Offers World Cup Hopes For 'One-Cap Wonders'". Forbes. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  62. McNulty, Phil (2 June 2021). "England 1-0 Austria: Bukayo Saka seals win with first international goal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  63. "Euro 2020 - 'More to come from us' - Gareth Southgate praises England and 'fabulous' Bukayo Saka". Eurosport. 22 June 2021.
  64. Wallace, Sam (12 July 2021). "Bukayo Saka is a teenager who had never taken a penalty - so why was he asked to do it now?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  65. "England lose shootout in Euro 2020 final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  66. "England 'disgusted' by racism aimed at players". ESPN.com. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  67. "PM & FA condemn racist abuse of players". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  68. "Bukayo Saka 'knew instantly of hate' he would receive after England defeat". BBC Sport. BBC News. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  69. "Bukayo Saka Reveals The Teammate Who Helped Him The Most | FAQs". YouTube. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  70. "B. Saka: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  71. "Games played by Bukayo Saka in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  72. "Games played by Bukayo Saka in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  73. "Games played by Bukayo Saka in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  74. "Games played by Bukayo Saka in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  75. "Saka, Bukayo". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  76. "England vs. Austria 1–0: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  77. "England vs. Andorra 4–0: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  78. "Andorra vs. England 0–5: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  79. "San Marino vs. England 0–10: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  80. McNulty, Phil (1 August 2020). "Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  81. Sanders, Emma (29 August 2020). "Arsenal 1–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  82. Bevan, Chris (29 May 2019). "Chelsea 4–1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  83. McNulty, Phil (11 July 2021). "England lose shootout in Euro 2020 final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  84. "IFFHS MEN'S YOUTH (U20) WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR 2021". iffhs.com. International Federation of Football History & Statistics. 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.