Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka has revealed that he rejected joining the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea to play for the Gunners, Football.London reports.
Only turning 17 three months ago, Ealing-born Saka is one of Arsenal’s hottest academy prospects and he impressed on Thursday night as the Gunners sealed a 1-0 win over Qarabag in their final Europa League game.
It was Saka’s senior home debut for the Gunners.
An attacking winger who loves to drive forward, Saka has always played in age groups way above his own due to the promise that he has shown during his development.
The youngster was first spotted playing for his local side Greenford Celtic as a seven-year-old and has now spoke of the interest that he received from professional clubs, even at that young age.
Saka said:
I had invitations from Spurs, Chelsea, Fulham and Watford but the only choice was ArsenaI. I enjoyed the way that Arsenal played so the choice was easy for me.
I trained at Hale End and signed when I was nine years old. Receiving a scholarship and then signing a professional contract a couple of months ago and playing for the first-team has made this year very special already.
I hope to feature more and more for the Under-23s which is very good for my development. I am playing against me and Freddie Ljungberg helped me by letting me watch from the bench at first and then he introduced me for 20 or 30 minutes at a time before I gradually started matches.
I feel I am now used to the pace and physicality.
I have been at the club for over 10 years so to be involved with the first-team and to train with players of such quality is amazing. Working with the first team help me develop and inspires me to keep working hard.
I do feel that I have come a long way and the progress i have made this year has added to my confidence, but I am very aware that I have a long way to go.
