Bukayo Saka has revealed that being entrusted with the honour of filling Arsenal’s captain’s armband left him “speechless”.
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- Odegaard nursing injury
- Saka has taken armband
- Honoured to lead Gunners
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Table of Contents
ToggleWHAT HAPPENED?
With Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard ruled out through injury, England international Saka was asked to provide on-field leadership during a crucial Premier League clash with fellow title hopefuls Manchester City. He then led Arsenal out in a Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium.
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WHAT SAKA SAID
Academy graduate Saka, who is just 23 years of age, has told of his reaction to being asked by Mikel Arteta to take on captaincy duties: “That's one of the things where I become speechless when people ask me. Everyone knows my journey, where I came from. To take the captain's armband, walk the lads out at the Emirates Stadium. I can't put it into words.”
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Saka has proven himself deserving of such an honour, with 236 appearances taken in for Arsenal. He now fills their No.7 jersey and added on being a source of inspiration to fans – young and old – around the world: “When the new kits come out you see it across all of London. I'm always looking out to see if someone has my number on. It's always a nice feeling when you see a little kid or an older man wearing one of my shirts. I never take it for granted and if I can give them a bit of my time, a bit of love back to them, I'll try to do that too.”
- Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT?
Saka has registered three goals for the Gunners this season and will be back in domestic action on October 19 when taking in a trip to Bournemouth – with there two UEFA Nations League fixtures with England, against Greece and Finland, to occupy his thoughts prior to that.
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