Bukayo Saka (Part2)

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24 Mar 2024

Bukayo Saka (Part2)

Saka scored his first goal of the new campaign during a 6–0 victory over West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Cup second round at The Hawthorns.
His first Premier League goal of the season came in September against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, where he also provided an assist for Emile Smith Rowe's goal in a 3–1 win.Saka reached a milestone by making his 100th appearance for Arsenal, marking the occasion with an assist in a 2–0 away win at Leicester City.

In a Boxing Day fixture on December 26, Saka netted his first brace for Arsenal as they triumphed 5–0 against Norwich City at Carrow Road. This achievement made Saka the second youngest player, after Nicolas Anelka, to score 10 Premier League goals for Arsenal.
On March 19, 2022, Saka etched his name in Arsenal's history books by scoring the club's 2000th Premier League goal in a 1–0 away victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
For his remarkable performances in March 2022, which included two goals and an assist, Saka was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award.

He reached another milestone on April 20, scoring his tenth Premier League goal of the season for the first time in his career during a 4–2 away victory against Chelsea.
Despite Arsenal finishing fifth in the Premier League and missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for the following season, Saka's individual contributions did not go unnoticed. He was nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Premier League Player of the Season, Premier League Young Player of the Season, and PFA Young Player of the Year.Saka's stellar performances earned him the Arsenal Player of the Season award for a second consecutive season, making him the first player to retain the award since Thierry Henry achieved the feat in 2003 and 2004.

During the 2022–23 season, Saka played a pivotal role for Arsenal, contributing crucial goals and assists as the club aimed to secure their first Premier League title since 2003–04.
On August 20, 2022, he reached a significant milestone by making his 100th Premier League appearance in a 3–0 victory against Bournemouth, becoming the second youngest Arsenal player to achieve this feat.Saka opened his goal-scoring account for the season on September 4, finding the net in a 3–1 away defeat against Manchester United.
In the following Premier League match on September 18, Saka provided two assists for teammates William Saliba and Fábio Vieira in a 3–0 away victory against Brentford, a result that propelled Arsenal to the top of the table.

During October, Saka showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting in three consecutive matches for the first time in his career. He scored a brace against Liverpool on October 9, and found the back of the net against Bod Glimt in the Europa League and Leeds United in the Premier League on October 13 and 16, respectively.
On December 26, 2022, Saka scored the equalizer in Arsenal's 3–1 win over West Ham United, marking the club's first match since the conclusion of the World Cup. He continued his scoring form by netting again in the next match against Brighton & Hove Albion, securing a 4–2 away victory.

Saka provided the assist for Martin Ødegaard's goal as Arsenal sealed their first away league win against Tottenham Hotspur since 2014. A week later, on January 22, he scored a stunning long-range goal in a 3–2 home win over Manchester United, a strike that was later voted as Arsenal's Goal of the Month for January 2023.
Saka's outstanding performances did not go unnoticed, as he received the Men's Young Player of the Year award at the 2023 London Football Awards on March 13. He followed this up by winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for March 2023.

Saka signed a long-term contract with Arsenal, extending his commitment to the club until 2027. At the end of the season, he was nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Premier League Player of the Season, Premier League Young Player of the Season, and FWA Footballer of the Year. Saka was ultimately named the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season, further solidifying his status as one of the brightest talents in English football.Bukayo Saka's international career began with the England under-16 team, making his debut on August 24, 2016, as a substitute in a friendly against Romania, which England won 3–1. He followed this up with his first start two days later in another friendly against Romania, scoring in a 2–1 defeat.

Moving up the age groups, Saka became involved with the England under-17 team, debuting on August 18, 2017, in a 3–2 win over Turkey, where he also found the net. He continued to represent the under-17s, participating in tournaments like the 2018 Torneio Internacional do Algarve and the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
Saka later progressed to the England under-18 team, debuting in a 3–0 win over the Netherlands on September 5, 2018, in the 2018 Limoges Tournament. He played a crucial role in England's victory, scoring the winning goal with a penalty against France.His progression continued as he made his debut for the England under-19 team on November 14, 2018, scoring in a 4–0 win over Moldova in a UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying match. Saka's contributions continued, notably scoring twice in a match against the Czech Republic in March 2019.

Bukayo Saka's international journey with England has been remarkable. He made his debut for the England under-21 team on September 4, 2020, in a 6–0 victory against Kosovo in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.Saka received his first call-up to the England senior squad. He made an immediate impact, debuting as a starter in a 3–0 win over Wales. With this appearance, he became tied to England internationally and ineligible to represent Nigeria.
Saka was named in the squad for UEFA Euro 2020 and showcased his talent throughout the tournament. He scored his first senior international goal in a friendly against Austria on June 2, 2021. In the Euro 2020 group stage match against the Czech Republic, he was named the man of the match. However, his tournament ended in disappointment as England lost to Italy in the final, and he faced racist abuse online after missing a penalty in the decisive shoot-out.

Despite the challenges, Saka continued to excel for England. He was named the England Men's Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season, becoming the first Arsenal player to receive the honor. He then played a significant role in England's journey to the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, earning praise for his performances.
In the Euro 2024 qualifying match against North Macedonia on June 19, 2023, Saka scored his first career hat-trick, showcasing his growing influence in the England national team.
His outstanding contributions were recognized once again when he was named the England Men's Player of the Year for the second successive season on September 5, 2023, reflecting his consistent excellence on the international stage.