Bukayo Saka has been one of the bright spots in a difficult few seasons for Arsenal. Already a huge influence in the Gunners side, and has made an impact at international level too.

Bukayo Saka is a professional football player who plays as a winger for Arsenal in the Premier League, as well as for England.

Saka has been on the books of Arsenal since the age of seven, graduating from the Hale End academy.

An unused substitute when Arsenal won the FA Cup in 2020, Saka is the second youngest Gunners player to achieve 50 Premier League appearances and has been a crucial player for the north London side in recent seasons.

Hale End to the Arsenal first team

That November, Saka was handed his first senior debut for the north London side, a Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava.

In the new year, Saka made his Premier League debut for the Gunners, contributing to a 4-1 win over Fulham.

First team breakthrough

Saka scored his first senior goal for Arsenal in the 2019/20 Europa League campaign, a curling strike against Eintracht Frankfurt. Two further assists helped him earn a Premier League start against Aston Villa.

Saka's influence quickly began to grow. He set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the equaliser against Manchester United, as well as scoring an all-important FA Cup fourth round goal against Bournemouth.

Thanks to injuries to Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney, Saka was able to establish himself in the side at left-back.

Saka was handed a new long-term contract with the Gunners and scored his first Premier League goal for the club, a volley past Rui Patricio in a 2-0 win over Wolves.

Although Saka was an unused substitute for the FA Cup final, Saka earned himself a winners' medal as Mikel Arteta's side beat Chelsea 2-1 - their 14th FA Cup win.

2020/21 season

Arsenal and Saka had a promising start to the 2020/21, beating Liverpool 5-4 on penalties in the Community Shield, with Saka registering an assist.

Saka was named Arsenal Player of the Month three successive times between December and February. He provided three goals and one assist in six appearances across all competitions in January, while contributing a goal and two assists in February.

Saka made his 50th Arsenal appearance on March 6, 2021, becoming the second youngest player to do so after Cesc Fabregas.

Saka continues to impress at Arsenal

Even with Arsenal out of European competitions he still managed to make 43 appearances across all competitions and score 12 goals. He ended the season as the club's top scorer and was named Player of the Season for the second consecutive time.

International career

Saka has represented England at all levels from under-16s through to under-21s.

He was included in the England under-17 squad for the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. The host nation were knocked out in the semi-final by Netherlands.

In October 2020, Saka was called up to the England senior squad for the first time, making his international debut in a 3-0 victory over Wales.

He scored his first England goal in a 1-0 friendly win over Austria in June 2021.

Saka has been included in the England squad for Euro 2020 and featured in the 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in the group stage. He also started in the 2-0 last-16 win over Germany and the semi-final success over Denmark.

Euro 2020 would sadly end in heartbreak for Saka, who missed the decisive kick in the final's penalty shootout against Italy.

Personal life

Saka was born in Ealing, Greater London to Nigerian parents, and attended Edward Betham CofE Primary School and Greenford High School.

Net worth