Bukayo Saka is the biggest name at Arsenal and also arguably their best player.
The Englishman commands respect at the Emirates Stadium, as exemplified by the Arsenal players’ excitement about Saka’s imminent return from injury.
The Arsenal superstar deserved to be held in the highest possible esteem, considering how crucial of a role he has played in the club’s rise into a title-challenging outfit.
In the process, Bukayo Saka has become a senior player in the squad and is a role-model for rising stars such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly to look up to. Andrea Berta eyes a contract extension for Saka beyond 2027 as one of his first priorities at Arsenal as quite simply, Mikel Arteta cannot afford to lose him.
Time has certainly flown by since Saka made his first-team debut for Arsenal against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League in 2018.
Arsenal’s starting XI when Bukayo Saka made his debut
Saka came off the bench in the 68th minute as the Gunners won 3-0, courtesy of goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Willock.
At the time, Saka, who Rio Ferdinand considers “world-class” was just 17 and even during his debut, it was evident that he was a special talent — as the Ealing-born winger almost scored after beating his full-back and tested the goalkeeper with a rasping effort.
Unai Emery handed the England international his debut and he went on to become a key player a season later under both the now-Aston Villa boss and Mikel Arteta.
Looking back on Arsenal’s win against Vorskla Poltava, Saka featured on the bench as Emery named a starting XI of players who are no longer at the club.
Saka is one of Arsenal’s best-ever academy graduates now but back then, he could not start ahead of Joe Willock or Smith Rowe out wide or even Ainsley Maitland-Niles as a left wing-back.
- READ MORE: Why Bukayo Saka could still break all-time Premier League assist record as new injury date emerges
What Bukayo Saka said after his Gunners debut
In 2018, the FA Cup winner would not have expected to become the key player he is for both his boyhood club and England.
Jeremie Frimpong called Saka a “brilliant player” as the world recognises how incredible he has been and that too for years now.
After debuting for Arsenal against Vorskla Poltava, Saka admitted that he hoped to score after testing the opposition goalkeeper but all in all, he enjoyed his time out on the pitch — which was an insight into how ambitious and mature he was from day one.
The Arsenal winger said via Football.London: “I was relaxed and just played how I always do and enjoyed every second.”
“I came close to scoring which would have been perfect but the ‘keeper made a great save.”
