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. And is often considered one of the best young football players in the world.
Saka has spent his entire first-team club career with Arsenal. Where he has won an FA Cup and an FA Community Shield; progressively becoming one of Arsenal’s most prolific; and influential players.
2020–21 and 2021–22 Seasons and Early life
Following the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons; he was named as Arsenal’s player of the season. Saka represented England at various youth levels. Before making his debut for the senior team in October 2020.
He was part of England’s squads at UEFA Euro 2020; and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Saka was born in Ealing, Greater London; to Yoruba (a West African ethnic group; that mainly inhabited parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.
His parents are Adenike and Yomi Saka. And Is the youngest of two children. He attended Edward Betham Church of England Primary School. Before Greenford High School; where he gained high grades in his GCSEs.
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Education
Achieving four A*s and three As. Prior to joining Arsenal; Saka played youth football for local club Greenford Celtic. His parents emigrated to London from Nigeria; as economic migrants.
In an interview, Saka stated the importance of his father; Yomi, in his footballing career: “He’s a massive inspiration for me. From when I was young, he always kept me grounded, kept me humble.”
His name “Bukayo” originates from the Yoruba language; spoken in southern Nigeria, meaning “adds to happiness”. Having previously played for youth teams of Watford; Saka joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at the age of seven.
At 17 years Old
Once he turned 17 years old; Saka was given a professional contract by Arsenal. And promoted to the under-23 side. On 29 November 2018; Saka made his first-team debut for Arsenal. In their UEFA Europa League match;
Against Vorskla Poltava, he came on as a 68th minute substitute for Aaron Ramsey. On 13 December, Saka made his first full home debut for Arsenal in their Europa League match against Qarabağ.
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. He became the first player born in the 21st century; to play in a Premier League match.
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First goal on 19 September
Saka scored his first goal on 19 September; curling a fine effort from long range into the corner. Away to German side Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
He finished the match with two assists also to his name in a 3–0 win. 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 equalizer in a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Regular in the Arsenal first team
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 AFC 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 BBC Sport.
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.
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Set up Alexandre Lacazette
He then set up Alexandre Lacazette; for his ninth assist of the season in a 1–0 win at Olympiacos; in the Europa League. He then hit double figures for assists that season. After crossing in for Nketiah in a thrilling 3–2 home win;
Against Everton. 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. Head coach Mikel Arteta praised Saka and said: “I think he represents every value; that this football club stands for.
Hard work and accountability
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.
“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.
Was an unused substitute; as Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2–1 to win their 14th FA Cup. Came third in the vote for the Arsenal Player of the Season award in the 2019–20 season.
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An assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
On 29 August 2020; Saka was in the starting 11. And registered an assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 2020 FA Community Shield.
In which 2019–20 FA Cup winners Arsenal clinched a 5–4 penalty shoot-out victory; over 2019–20 Premier League winners Liverpool. After the match was 1–1 after 90 minutes.
Saka opened his account for the 2020–21 season; on 4 October, scoring in a 2–1 victory against Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium.
Matt Targett’s cross
On 8 November, Saka turned in Matt Targett’s cross; and scored an unfortunate own goal in a 0-3 home defeat against Aston Villa.
On Boxing Day 2020; he scored on his 40th Premier League appearance for Arsenal. In a 3–1 home win over Chelsea. Due to his stellar performances in the December 2020 month.
He was later voted as the Arsenal Player of the Month on the Arsenal official website. He was voted as the Player of the Month again in January; having scored three goals and provided one assist;
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Goal against West Bromwich Albion
In six appearances across all competitions. In which his goal against West Bromwich Albion; was voted as the runner-up of Arsenal’s Goal of the Month.
Saka was named Player of the Month for the third time. In February after contributing one goal and two assists; claiming 48 per cent of the votes.
On 6 March 2021, Saka made his 50th Premier League appearance; for Arsenal in a 1–1 away draw at Burnley. He is the second youngest player in club history to reach that milestone.
A 4–0 victory over Slavia Prague
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.
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; having come in third the previous campaign.
He also was named in the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Season. But this was won by Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
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A 6–0 EFL Cup second round win
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.
He scored his first Premier League goal of the season; in September against Tottenham Hotspur. At the Emirates Stadium; whilst also providing an assist for Emile Smith Rowe’s goal in a 3–1 win.
On 30 October, Saka made his 100th appearance for Arsenal; marking the occasion with an assist in a 2–0 away win at Leicester City.
Second youngest player
On 26 December, Saka scored his first 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.
Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League; falling short of UEFA Champions League qualification for the following season. After Arsenal’s 2–0 away defeat to Newcastle United;
Which all but confirmed the club’s Champions League absence. Saka criticized his own “poor performance”, and expressed his disappointment over the game saying;
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Club’s top scorer
“We have had those opportunities to win and put ourselves in a great position; but we could not do that”. After finishing the season as the club’s top scorer;
He was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season; Premier League Young Player of the Season. And PFA Young Player of the Year.
Saka was named Arsenal’s player of the season; for a second consecutive season. Becoming the first person to retain the award since Thierry Henry won in 2003 and again in 2004.
England at Under – 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21
Saka represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 level. In May 2018, he was included in the England under-17 squad; as they hosted the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
The hosts were eliminated by the Netherlands at the semi-final stage on a penalty shoot-out. Although Saka scored his spot kick.
In September 2018, Saka scored the winner for the England under-18 team; in an away game against France. In November, Saka received his first call-up to the England under-19 team.
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2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship
He scored on his debut at that age level; in a 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifier against Moldova. On 4 September 2020, Saka made his debut for the England; under-21 team during a 6–0 victory away to Kosovo.
On 1 October, Saka was called up to the England senior squad; for the first time, and made his international debut as one of the starters in a 3–0 victory over Wales.
Having played four times for England; Saka is now tied to England internationally and can no longer represent Nigeria. Bokayo Saka was invited by the Nigerian Football Federation;
Nigerian Team
To play for the Nigerian team and could also be chosen to represent Nigeria. But Saka chose to play for England over Nigeria; with wishing the best and supporting Nigeria all the way.
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.
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.
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Final Tournament Against Italy
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. Saka’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and, as a result; Italy won the shoot-out and the tournament.
Saka faced racist abuse online after missing the penalty. On 15 July, Saka said in an Instagram post that he “knew instantly the kind of hate”;
23 September 2022
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.”
On 23 September 2022, Saka was named England player of the year; for the 2021–22 season ahead of Declan Rice and Harry Kane, becoming the first Arsenal player to win the honour.
Saka was named in England’s 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on 10 November. He scored twice in a 6–2 victory over Iran on 21 November in England’s opening match at the tournament.
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Personal life
Asked what he would be if not a footballer; Saka said he would be a basketball player or an actor. His favourite actor growing up was Will Smith and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is his favourite show.
His favourite footballer of all-time is Thierry Henry and he cites Alexis Sánchez as an influence, saying he even tried to copy Sánchez’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.” Saka is also a devoted Christian.
