Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has returned from injury in time for the Gunners’ clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League, and wants to win a trophy with the north London side
Bukayo Saka insists he can win the biggest trophies with Arsenal. And Saka says it is “pretty clear” he is ready to commit his long-term future to the club in a major boost ahead of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.
Gunners winger Saka admitted the incentive of facing the Spanish giants was a major factor in the final stages of his recovery after a three-month lay-off with a hamstring injury. Saka’s timing is always perfect and his return comes ahead of Arsenal’s biggest game of the season. He got an incredible hero’s reception when he came on as a substitute and scored against Fulham last week.
The England winger has two years left on his current contract and he believes he can fulfil all of his career ambitions at the Emirates. When asked about his future, Saka said: “Yeah, well, for me I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge. So I think it’s pretty clear the fans know how much I love them.
“You saw when I came on on Tuesday, I think they love me back. So it’s a good relationship and I’m really happy to be here and just focus on winning.”
The Emirates has had few love affairs like the one with Saka. He is the homegrown hero, the Hale End academy product whose smile lights up the stadium and they appreciate he is one of the best players in the world.
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That night, his return after his injury, was an unforgettable occasion because the stadium rose to its feet, it was a deafening noise and, to cap it all, Saka celebrated his goal by going over to fitness coach Sam Wilson. Ricky Wilson was the other coach who helped him.
Saka said: “Like I said, it was special. You have to be in the stadium to really understand and feel the noise and energy that they brought that night for me. So I’m really grateful and like I said, I’m just going to win here and that’s my focus.
“Sam Wilson and Ricky, they were really close with me in my rehab every day. The days that people didn’t see, some days were tougher than usual, but they were always there pushing me.
“Unfortunately, Ricky couldn’t make it, he had to be with his son on the night, so he wasn’t in the stadium. I always told him during the rehab that if I did score and I came back, I would come and thank them.
“Sam was there, Ricky wasn’t, so I went to obviously give Sam a hug and let him know that I appreciate all the effort that he’s put in.
“I mean if you ask my physios, there was a lot of conversation about this game. I’m waiting to be back and not just back, back in good shape. I’m feeling good. So, yeah, that’s what I spent a lot of months working massively towards and yeah, we’re here now so I’m excited.”
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Saka did admit that if one good thing came out of the injury then it was a much-needed rest. “The past five years I’ve been playing game after game, the first proper break I’ve had and it was really good for me,” said Saka. “It’s really nice to be back and I feel fresher mentally for sure.”
Now Saka is convinced that Arsenal can overcome Real Madrid as he shares the stage with the likes of Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe. He is so modest and down-to-earth that he is cautious about putting himself in their bracket and yet he did admit that he does harbour dreams of winning the Balon D’Or.
Saka added: “Yeah, it’s a dream. I think it’s a dream for a lot of players. I’m just working hard to do my best for my team, and any individual awards that come of it, I’ll accept it.
“I think everyone will have something different to say, but, yeah, I don’t really want to start sitting there and saying they’re a level above me and stuff like this, because that’s not the way I think, you know?
“So I’ll just leave it to everyone to have their opinion, but, you know, other players will speak for themselves.”
Arsenal and England fans will feel Saka already deserves to share that stage. And now the player will get the chance for himself.
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