Arsenal's irreplaceable heartbeat — the most consistent English winger of his generation whose directness, creativity and relentless work rate have made him Mikel Arteta's most important player.
Bukayo Saka was born in Ealing, London in 2001. Arsenal's academy developed him from childhood and he made his first-team debut at 17. He was the player who took — and missed — England's fifth penalty in the Euro 2020 Final shootout against Italy, aged 19, in his home city at Wembley. The racial abuse he received from thousands of people online after that miss was one of the most widely condemned incidents in English sport in living memory. He returned to form immediately and has been Arsenal's most important player in his consistent top-four challenge under Mikel Arteta. He was named PFA Young Player of the Year in consecutive seasons (2022, 2023). He scored in the Euro 2024 Final — redemption for 2021 on the same stage. His combination of directness, crossing ability and progressive running from wide positions produces consistently high chance-creation numbers. He is the most important English player for both club and country — Arsenal's most valuable asset. His character after the 2021 abuse — the composed response, the public dignity — generated as much admiration as his football.
Versatile winger/fullback, penalty shootout heartbreak at Euro 2020, rapid rise at Arsenal
How They Played
Pacey winger with excellent dribbling, crossing ability and tactical versatility
Lasting Impact
Key player in Arsenal's resurgence, one of England's brightest young talents
FA Cup 2020 (Arsenal)
Career Honours
- FA Cup 2020 (Arsenal)
- PFA Young Player of the Year 2x (2022, 2023)
- Arsenal Player of the Season 3x
- UEFA Euro 2024 runner-up (England)
- Premier League assists leader 2022-23