Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has exclusively told CNN’s Amanda Davies that his side has “the opportunity to make history” after the 24-year-old signed a new five-year deal committing his long-term future to the current Premier League leaders.
At Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre in London, England, Saka told Davies the decision to commit long-term was “an easy choice” and one that reaffirms his belief that the Gunners can challenge for and win trophies on a consistent basis.
During his interview, Saka read out a never-before-seen letter, written by his parents and given to him by Davies, to mark the young star’s latest contract with the club: “I don’t really see my mom and dad speak with me like this a lot. I’m pretty speechless.”
“I don’t feel I’m here alone. I feel they’re right with me, and they always have been, so I’m grateful.”
Key quotes from Arsenal’s Saka:
On signing his new long-term contract at Arsenal:
“I think on my side it was an easy choice […] The club is going in the right direction for sure. We have an amazing team and we’re back fighting for every trophy, so no place I’d rather be […] To be playing at the highest level, to be playing for Arsenal, this is everything I want.”
On whether current leaders Arsenal can win the Premier League this year:
“It’s counterproductive to focus solely on that (the Premier League). You have to do what you can day-to-day because you can’t control the outcome. We’re in control so we’re just looking forward to that.”
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On experiencing near misses in the Premier League with Arsenal:
“It’s not a nice thing. No one’s happy to go through them. What you learn is crucial and you just have to take it into the moment now which we’re in and try and do what we can to not have any miss next time.”
On the influence of Arsenal Head Coach Mikel Arteta:
“He’s been pivotal for me, crucial in my development. I’ve become a much better player under him. He’s trusted me a lot and I’m very grateful. When people ask me what I want in a coach it’s him.”
On whether he’d follow Mikel Arteta’s footsteps into football management:
“No chance. No. Definitely no. Hard no. From being a player to a manager, I think it’s x 10, the demands and I feel like after playing football I couldn’t see myself being a manager.”
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On his growing roles and responsibilities on the pitch, including occasionally captaining Arsenal:
“There are different types of captains, some are more vocal, some lead by example. I’ll just be myself. “I don’t think too much about it. If you think about it and you force it it’s not going to be received well because people can see if you’re not being yourself. I just try and live in the moment […] It’s just my instincts.”
On the support he received following the online racist abuse post-Euro 2020 final:
“Love always wins because for all the hatred and the negativity the love that I received overcame everything. Everyone who sent me a message, etc. they were all examples of that love and how that can change a person because obviously that was a tough moment for me. I was on the floor, but it lifted me up and obviously helped me to come back and do what I’ve been doing in recent years.”
On the influence of his parents on his personal and professional career:
“Their journey is inspiring. From being in Nigeria to being where we are today as a family… For me the only explanation is God, because it’s not normal. It’s like one in a million chance for me to stand here today. I wouldn’t be here without them. I don’t feel I’m here alone. I feel they’re right with me, and they always have been so I’m grateful. The reason I have such a connection to the people in this club and the fans is because they appreciate my values […] so it started with them.”
This article was written by Engage Communication.
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