Bukayo Saka is all in on Arsenal. The 24-year-old forward has signed a massive new five-year deal keeping him at the Emirates until 2030, and he's convinced the Gunners are ready to deliver silverware.
In an exclusive chat with CNN Sports, Saka made it clear this wasn't a tough decision. "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," he said from Arsenal's training ground.
For a player who joined the academy at just eight years old, this feels like destiny. He's now the heartbeat of Arteta's side, and the stats back it up. Since his 2018 debut, no Arsenal player has contributed more goals and assists than Saka.
The Hunger for Silverware
Here's the thing though – Arsenal haven't won major silverware since that 2020 FA Cup triumph over Chelsea. Saka remembers it well. "When you taste that victory, you just want to do it again and again and again," he admits.
The near-misses have been brutal. Manchester City pipped them to the Premier League title in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. Those experiences hurt, but Saka believes they've made the squad stronger and more determined.
Right now, Arsenal sits five points clear at the top of the Premier League table. They're also in the League Cup final against City in March, through to the FA Cup fifth round, and cruising in the Champions League after a perfect group stage. A quadruple is genuinely on the cards.
For punters watching Arsenal's odds, this is huge. Saka's contract extension removes any uncertainty about his future, and his form will be absolutely crucial if the Gunners are going to convert their strong position into actual trophies. The league title drought since 2004 weighs heavy on everyone connected to the club.
The Man Behind the Player
What makes Saka special isn't just his talent – it's his character. Born in London to Nigerian parents, he credits them with everything. "Their journey is inspiring," he says. "From being in Nigeria to being where we are today as a family... it's like one in a million chance."
His Yoruba heritage shaped his values: discipline, humility, and courage. When CNN surprised him with a never-before-seen letter from his parents, the usually composed star was genuinely moved. "I don't really see my mom and dad speak with me like this a lot. I'm pretty speechless," he admitted.
That family foundation helped him survive the darkest moment of his career – the racist abuse after missing his penalty in the Euro 2020 final. The outpouring of support from Arsenal fans lifted him back up. "Love always wins," he reflects. Those thousands of letters and messages reminded him why he plays.
As for following Mikel Arteta into management one day? "No chance," Saka laughs. "The demands are times 10. After playing football, I couldn't see myself being a manager." Right now, he's focused entirely on creating a legacy at Arsenal – one his parents and the next generation can be proud of.
