sport news DANIEL MATTHEWS: Arsenal 'Starboy' Saka is the God-fearing, video game-loving, ... trends now
There is a particular passage of play that stuck with the PE teacher at Greenford High School in west London.
Not during the Year 8 County Cup win. But when Bukayo Saka — then in Year 7 — had possession on the right wing, beat a handful of defenders, before cutting inside and firing a left-foot shot into the top corner. It turns out Saka hasn’t forgotten that skill, either.
On Sunday evening, as Arsenal tried to wrestle free of Manchester United, Saka picked up the ball near the same flank. This time, he needed only to shimmy beyond Christian Eriksen on to his left foot. This time, the ball nestled in the bottom corner.
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s smiling assassin, who will shred defences with dynamite in both feet
Not much else has survived the decade in between. Nothing in Saka’s life has remained unblemished by the harsh and howling winds of football. Except his faith, his charm. And the fearless abandon that still defines 90 minutes of his week. Saka is cultivating a more ruthless, clinical edge but nothing — not his rise, the penalty heartbreak, the racist abuse — has altered his mission statement from a while back: ‘I just want to enjoy it.’
He remains Arsenal’s smiling assassin, who will shred defences with dynamite in both feet. Who lost countless balls in the bush behind his garden but would always return to the shop for another. Who these days prepares for matches with Afrobeats and a Twix bar.
Greenford High has produced a few decent footballers — Saka’s path towards Arsenal and beyond was laid by Paul Merson. Jermaine Beckford is another former pupil and PE staff have said Saka played down his own ability. In the classroom, teachers recall his discipline and respect. His sharp mind for maths and his eye for a joke.
Saka (left) scored a sensational goal in Arsenal's 3-2 win against Manchester United
At Arsenal, the 21-year-old is no prankster like, say, David Luiz was. But Saka’s positivity and infectious personality makes him popular with staff and players. One recent Christmas, he dressed up as Santa and handed out gifts to employees at London Colney.
‘He’s just so pure,’ one source said. ‘With everyone from the facility staff to one of the players, he’ll find something to joke about.’
Arsenal has been his second home since the age of eight. His father used to wait outside school to take him to training. Up at 8am, back around 11pm. Four days a week. No wonder Saka used the car journeys and every spare minute in the morning to catch up on sleep.
Arsenal has been his second home since the age of eight
The family who raised Arsenal’s ‘Starboy’ remain a pivotal part of his life. They are
