sport news How Bukayo Saka honed his ruthless streak... the Arsenal winger has improved ... trends now
The re-emergence of a trademark celebration, one synonymous with an Arsenal icon, is one indicator of a confident player in a good place.
The sight of Bukayo Saka peeling off to the nearest corner flag, grabbing it and standing bolt upright — in homage to club legend Thierry Henry — has been an increasingly common one in recent weeks.
We have seen it from him as he has continued to inspire Arsenal towards a first Premier League title since 2004. And there it was again at Wembley on Sunday after he cut in from the right and bent the ball, beautifully, into Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s top corner to help England maintain their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying.
Saka, 21, is the definition of an in-form footballer right now. Improving, evolving and repeatedly a match-winner. The talent has always been there with Saka. Never in doubt.
Cardiff goalkeeper Rohan Luthra, a former pre-academy team-mate of Saka’s at Arsenal, told Sportsmail last week: ‘I was about seven but still everybody knew then that wow, this guy could be something special. Obviously now he is something special.’
Bukayo Saka has become more ruthless for Arsenal and is celebrating like Thierry Henry
Saka's corner flag celebration pays homage to legendary former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry
Footage of an even younger Saka scoring a hat-trick nine years ago for one of Arsenal’s youth sides resurfaced recently, showing his long-standing effectiveness in front of goal.
Now it is just that his considerable talents are being consistently displayed at the highest level. The England manager Gareth Southgate highlighted how Saka has added a ruthlessness to his game in the last 18 months, contributing to a confidence in front of goal.
Now in his fourth season as a regular first-team player for Arsenal, his improved goal return supports that. There were four goals and then seven in Saka’s first two full campaigns as a senior Arsenal player. His tally jumped to 12 goals in 43 appearances last season. He already has 12 in 28 league games for his club this season — as well as 10 assists — with 10 games remaining.
The word ruthless may well be ringing in Saka’s
