Saka: "I used to love Ronaldo"

Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka gave an interview on Tuesday, speaking about how he made his way into the world of football and up the ranks at the London club.

"I used to love Cristiano Ronaldo ... the way he took free kicks, I think a lot of us used to try to emulate that", he said of the days before he joined the Arsenal Academy aged 9. 

He credits his parents for helping get to where he is, once football became the biggest thing in his life: "They supported me the whole way"

"They took me to training, took me to games, made sure I ate well and stuff like that ... they made me realise that I needed to have a balance"

The young star made his first-team debut aged 17 and 86 days, during a Europa League game against Vorskla Poltova under Unai Emery. Now, the player adored by fans and teammates alike has played over 176 games with the first team, and produced 37 goals and the same number of assists.

He was the first Premier League player this season to reach double figures for goals and assists, and is the 8th Arsenal player ever to reach the achievement. He is also the youngest player to do so. 

"I want them to count for something", he said, after the win over Crystal Palace that saw him get the record in March. But unfortunately for the Gunners, their title dreams look to be over this season, after their loss at home to Brighton seems to have made way for City to take it instead. 

But part of one of the Premier League's youngest squads, hopefully Saka will have many more bites at that particular cherry. 

 

May 16, 2023