Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka (born 5 September 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for club Arsenal and the England national team.

He is regarded as one of the best wingers in the world.

Saka has spent his entire first-team club career with Arsenal, where he has won an FA Cup and two FA Community Shields, progressively becoming one of Arsenal's most influential players.

Saka was born on 5 September 2001 in Ealing, Greater London, to Yoruba Nigerian parents, Adenike and Yomi Saka, the younger of two children.

His parents emigrated to London from Nigeria as economic migrants.

He attended Edward Betham Church of England Primary School before Greenford High School, where he gained high grades in his GCSEs, achieving four A*s and three As.

Prior to joining Arsenal, Saka played youth football for local club Greenford Celtic.

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.

He became the first player born in 2001 to play in a Premier League match.

He was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–1 to win their 14th FA Cup.

On 29 November 2018, Saka made his first-team debut for Arsenal in their UEFA Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava, coming 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 was an unused substitute in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final 4–1 defeat against Chelsea on 29 May, receiving a runners-up medal.

Saka scored his first goal on 19 September, curling a fine effort from long range into the corner away to German team 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 equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

Following injuries to Sead Kolašinac and Kieran Tierney, Saka began to establish himself as a regular in the Arsenal first team at left back.

He came third in the vote for the Arsenal Player of the Season award in the 2019–20 season.

Following both 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 for UEFA Euro 2020, which England finished as runners-up, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In 2020, Arsenal U16 coach Trevor Bumstead stated; "Bukayo always stood out in the younger teams. He was a fantastic decision maker. He knew when to beat people and when to pass, as well as having brilliant physical attributes and really good character and personality." Once he turned 17 years old, Saka was signed to a professional contract by Arsenal and promoted to the under-23 side.

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.

He then set up Alexandre Lacazette for his ninth assist of the season in a 1–0 win away to 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.

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. 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."

On 4 July 2020, he 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.

On 29 August 2020, Saka was in the starting line-up 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.

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.

On 8 November, Saka turned in Matt Targett's cross and scored an own goal in a 3–0 home defeat against Aston Villa.

On 26 December 2020, Saka scored on his 40th Premier League appearance for Arsenal in a 3–1 home win over Chelsea.

Due to his performances in December 2020, he later voted as the Arsenal Player of the Month.

He was voted as the Player of the Month again in January 2021, having scored three goals and one assist; his goal against West Bromwich Albion was voted as the runner-up of Arsenal's Goal of the Month.