The Football Interview: Bukayo Saka's Journey at Arsenal
The Football Interview is an exciting new series where prominent figures in sports and entertainment engage in candid and insightful discussions about the nation's favorite sport, hosted by Kelly Somers. The series delves into themes of mindset, motivation, and personal reflections, offering viewers a glimpse of the individual behind the athlete.
New episodes will be available every Saturday on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website. This week, it will also air on BBC One at 23:45 GMT for audiences in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Bukayo Saka joined Arsenal's academy at the tender age of seven. Now 24, he has established himself as a key player for the first team, having scored 76 goals in 277 appearances, and is a beloved figure among fans at the Emirates Stadium. Saka was part of the Arsenal squad that reached the Europa League final in 2019 and won the FA Cup in 2020. He has also helped England reach consecutive European Championship finals.
This season, Saka has the opportunity to add another achievement to his career, as Arsenal currently leads the Premier League in pursuit of their first league title since 2004. The club is optimistic that the England winger will sign a new contract.
On Friday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed confidence in Saka's commitment to the club, stating, "I am very aware that he wants to continue with us. I think it’s a very healthy and powerful relationship. The journey that he has had at the club, and what he has become, is something we want to maintain. I think that is something that is going to leave a legacy at this club and he needs to fulfill that role."
Prior to Arteta's remarks, Saka sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his unwavering loyalty to Arsenal, his interests outside of football, and his aspirations of becoming a skilled barista.
Kelly Somers: Why football?
Bukayo Saka: Football brings me happiness. From the moment I discovered it, it was all I ever wanted to pursue.
Kelly: Was there ever any chance it could have been something else?
Bukayo: Not in my mind. My parents did encourage me to have a plan B, which is sensible, but for me, it was always about football.
Kelly: What is your earliest memory of playing the game?
Bukayo: Playing in my backyard with my brother and dad. It was 2 against 1—me against them, and since they were older, I refused to lose. I would cry or do anything to win, and that determination started at a young age.
Kelly: How young are we talking?
Bukayo: I must have been around four or five years old.
Kelly: Can you recall the first team you played for?
Bukayo: Greenford Celtic. I remember everything about it—the kit, the games. It had green and white stripes, and we played in a local park. After matches, our boots would be muddy, and we’d have to slap them against the trees. It was a significant chapter in my life, and I truly enjoyed it.
Kelly: What age were you when you joined that team?
Bukayo: I was probably around six.
Kelly: When did you realize, 'I’m quite good at this'?
Bukayo: One can be humble and still recognize their talent. I think I had that balance from a young age, but I never focused on it too much. I just enjoyed playing and was good at it, which made it even more fun.
Kelly: What position did you play back then?
Bukayo: I was always destined to be a winger. That was the first position I played—on the left wing—when I was growing up.
Kelly: It has always been Arsenal for you, hasn't it? Can you recall when you learned you would be signing with them?
Bukayo: I remember my dad telling me I was scouted. It was different back then; scouts would watch local teams and give my dad a card to set up a trial. I remember my first trial at Hale End—I felt no fear. I just thought, 'I’m going to play football and enjoy it.' I performed so well that I was moved from the B team to the A team, and I’ve been at Arsenal ever since.
Kelly: Was it always Arsenal for you?
Bukayo: Yes. At that stage of my career, decisions were more about what your parents wanted. I was just a kid. My dad made it clear that he wanted me at Arsenal, and I agreed.
Kelly: What was it about Arsenal that made him want you there?
Bukayo: He believed in Arsenal's pathway for young players. It was evident how much Arsene Wenger valued the academy and the quality of football Arsenal played. All of that made it perfect for him, and he wanted me to be a part of it.
Kelly: How special is it to be an Arsenal fan playing for Arsenal?
Bukayo: It’s a dream come true. Growing up, I attended many games at the stadium, and now I’m the one on the pitch, with all the fans watching. There’s so much that makes it beautiful, and I cherish every moment.
Kelly: Did you watch Arsenal games as a child?
Bukayo: Absolutely.
Kelly: I imagine you receive many requests for tickets to all the games now?
Bukayo: You could say that!
Kelly: Can you recall a moment during your time in the academy when you thought, 'I’m going to make it to the first team'?
Bukayo: I remember being in the changing room after a match. Our team played exceptionally well, and the coach, Greg Lincoln, came in and said, 'Look around, boys... it’s an incredible team, but only one or two of you will make it.' I thought, 'It has to be me.'
Kelly: That’s something many young boys and girls don’t realize—the odds of making it are so slim.
Bukayo: Yes. Coaches might not tell all the kids because it could discourage them. But for me, it clarified that this journey wouldn’t always be easy. You have to work hard, and that realization helped me a lot.
Kelly: Which coach or former teammate has had the biggest impact on your career?
Bukayo: [Response continues...]