Quick Facts
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Biography
Bukayo Saka (born 5 September 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger, left back or wing back for Premier League club Arsenal.
Career
Saka was born in Ealing, London and attended Greenford High School. He started his career with Arsenal's Hale End academy. Once he turned 17 years old, Saka was given a professional contract by Arsenal and promoted to the under-23 side.
On 29 November 2018, Saka made his senior competitive debut for Arsenal in their Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava. He came on as a 68th minute substitute for Aaron Ramsey. On 13 December 2018, Saka made his first full home debut for Arsenal in their Europa League match against FK Qarabag.
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.
On 19 September 2019 he scored and provided two assists as Arsenal won 3–0 against Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening group game of the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League.
Saka was rewarded for his efforts in Germany with his first Premier League start, in a dramatic 3–2 home win over Aston Villa. He then registered an assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, setting up the Gunners equalizer in a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
He then set up Gabriel Martinelli’s second goal in the sensational 5–5 draw at Liverpool in the League Cup, before assisting Aubameyang in head coach Unai Emery’s last match in charge, flicking on a low Martinelli cross to Aubameyang to give Arsenal the lead.
He then got a goal and assist in Arsenal’s 2–2 comeback draw at Standard Liège, first whipping in a wonderful cross for Alexandre Lacazette before guiding the ball home minutes later.
International career
Born in England, Saka is of Nigerian descent. Saka has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-19 level.
In May 2018, Saka was included in the England under-17 squad as they hosted the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. The hosts were eliminated by the Netherlands at the semi-final stage on a penalty shootout although Saka scored his spot kick.
In September 2018, Saka scored the winner for the England under-18 team in an away game against France. In November 2018, Saka received his first call-up to the England under-19 team. He scored on his debut at that age level in a qualifier against Moldova.
Career statistics
- As of match played 26 December 2019
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal U23 | 2018–19 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | ||||
| Arsenal | 2018–19 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 2 | |
| Career total | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 24 | 3 | ||
Honours
Arsenal
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2018–19