Bukayo Saka exclusive: Arsenal and England forward ready to take next step for club and country | Soccer News

There was a knock on the door, followed by gasps and cheers.

Children from Edward Betham School were presenting their role model projects to several teachers gathered at the school. Within seconds of arriving at Greenford Elementary School, I quickly realized that I only had one role model.

After all, students see their idols painted on schoolyard murals every day — their smiles unmistakable — but no one expected Bukayo Saka to show up for their lesson on Wednesday afternoon.

Over the next hour, Saka listened, laughed, shared memories (listening by name of every teacher he’d ever had), and answered some pretty tough questions from kids that journalists wouldn’t dare ask. All this happened less than 24 hours after the Arsenal star returned home at 6am that morning after helping England secure qualification for next year’s World Cup.

Observing from the back of the classroom, it quickly becomes clear within minutes that as proud as the school is of its Arsenal and England superstars, for Saka the feeling is mutual, and that the place and the values ​​it represents have helped shape him.

“I think it’s always a great feeling to come in and see kids react like that,” Saka told Sky Sports.

“I kind of expected it, but it feels so much better to actually be in the moment. I’ve been back here quite often to do some projects, but I think today was definitely my favorite. The kids’ presentations were really beautiful, hearing everything they had to say.”

“The school shaped me. You only have to go around the school and see what’s around you to understand the values ​​that are taught here. Perhaps you can see it in me too.”

It may come as no surprise that his fondest memories from his school days involve football. His coach had to remind his six-year-old girlfriend of his promise to buy her a Lamborghini if ​​she succeeded, but he remembers other things clearly.

“I think making history was probably one of the best moments because my team and my brother’s team were the first teams to win trophies here, so they retired my shirt. I was wearing number 10 and no one will wear it anymore.”

We talked about how awe-inspiring it was for these kids that less than 24 hours later we were sitting on a bench in the playground of his school while he was helping lead his country to the World Cup.

“It may sound crazy, but that’s my life and it’s all a blessing,” he reflects.

“I never take anything for granted and always thank God for being in the position I am today.

“I feel like it’s ignored in this country because of the talent that we have. There’s not much made of it because there’s a certain expectation that we’ll be successful, but there are a lot of big players in the history of the game who have never been to a World Cup.

“It’s great to be back there and hopefully get a chance to play in a second World Cup and go even further than the last World Cup.”

“England are building something for the World Cup”

Thomas Tuchel talks about the talent at his disposal and how he feels England are ‘building something good’.

It took some time for the players to understand the former Chelsea man’s work style, but the more Saka worked with him, the more impressed he became.

He said: “I think he’s a top coach, he has tactical understanding, he’s very demanding of people and he knows how to get the best out of his players.”

“Every player in this country has a chance to play in the World Cup, and he’s made it an environment that’s open to everyone. How badly do you want it? How well can you perform? So it’s a competitive environment, but I really believe he’s going to get the best out of the players. And at the end of the day, we’re here for our country and we’re trying to help our country win. That’s what’s on everyone’s mind right now.”

Tuchel has also made it clear in his selection that the ‘team’ is important above all and that Saka takes him back to the values ​​he was taught at school.

“I think that’s the best way to go. I think we can definitely go far in this World Cup, especially if we work as a team with the talent and quality that we have.”

Before that, Saka has had an excellent start to the season and could be set to spend the most exciting and rewarding months of his club career with Arsenal, who are currently at the top of the Premier League.

“When you’re an Arsenal player, it feels like there’s always talk about where you’re scoring and how you’re performing,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like we’re being overanalyzed, but I feel like we’re a very strong group this year and we’ve got a lot of quality.

“We are already suffering from a number of injuries, but all the players we have brought in have shown that they can maintain the highest level and that is what we need to go all the way.

“I don’t think we’ve been very good at that the last few seasons, but we’ve got it this season and it really makes us believe we can do it.

“I’ve been in the title race for the last three years and I’ve finished second in all of them. What I understood and learned from that is that it doesn’t really matter right now. April is when you need to be there and that’s where you need to strive to be on top.

“Now it’s important to build around it, build momentum and continue our string of performances.”

“Eze fits into Arsenal like a glove.”

The arrival of a number of high-profile players to Arsenal this summer, including Eberechi Eze, whom Saka loved playing with, helped make it work.

“He fits like a glove,” Saka said. “He’s happy, he’s playing, he’s playing very well, which is important.

“I’m delighted to welcome him to Arsenal and look forward to seeing what he can bring to us this season.

“I was very happy when he signed and there were about 20 of his family members in the picture. You can see what it means to him and his family to be at Arsenal. We talked about the pictures and all the other videos on social media. That’s what I love about having a player who wants to be here and loves the club.”

“He will give everything for this club and that’s what you need.”

Saka praises Arteta’s influence

When the kids finally came out of the playground, Saka and I talked about the idols he admired at the time. In the world of football, there was one person who was better than the rest: Cristiano Ronaldo. His work ethic, longevity, winning mindset and everything he instilled in Saka every day outside of soccer was all thanks to his father.

I can’t help but think of the impact that Arteta, who has coached Saka since he was 19, had on this man and player who was sitting in front of me.

“I think my relationship with Mikel has always been very good. He has always had a lot of faith in me, from an early age until now. I will always be grateful for that and for the way he always believed in me.”

“So I don’t really ask for much more from a coach. To me, he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. As a player, you don’t need much. I think he’s obviously evolving. I think with the different experiences he’s had, the ups and downs, he’s a better coach for that.”

Saka is only 24 years old and has already scored 100 goals for Arsenal. He joins club legends such as Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright on that list.

Does Saka know some of the names above him?

Of course he notices, but in a very humble manner, Saka just shrugs. “It’s great, but I don’t know. I feel like I’m always looking for something more. I think this is definitely a big milestone and of course it’s important for me too, because it’s important for me as I try to make my mark at Arsenal and make history at Arsenal.”

“So I’m happy to reach such a milestone. I feel like I’ve been there ever since I was at Arsenal Football Club… I think I went there when I was here. So I’ve been at this club for a long time and that’s where I turned from a boy to a man.”

“At the same time, I also want to help win the biggest trophy during my time at Arsenal. That’s the next step. We’ve been together as a group for many years, we’ve been through a lot of ups and downs together, and now I just want to take the next step.”

As the interview drew to a close and teachers lined up to take pictures with Saka before heading home, we discussed when Saka would return to her alma mater.

Imagine the next time they come back it’s as Premier League champions and World Cup winners.

Mr. Saka’s smile is shining. “That’s my prayer and it’s possible,” he said.

“If you don’t believe, you can’t do anything. It’s never easy, but I believe it’s possible.”

As I walked past the Saka mural and left the school gates after spending a few hours with the Arsenal man, there was no arguing that someone like him who pushed himself, strived for excellence and overcame challenges to become the best version of himself was the perfect person to encourage and inspire the next generation of Edward Betham and beyond.

Watch Arsenal v Brighton in the Carabao Cup live on Sky Sports on Wednesday. Kickoff at 7:45 p.m.

England star Bukayo Saka visits his former primary school to speak to pupils about the importance of role models and reunite with the two teachers who inspired him at the start of his journey The Chase Football Coaching Program is helping to create more inspirational role models for children across the UK by providing fully-funded access to introductory coaching qualifications and specialist coaching scholarships to people from low income groups in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For more information about Chase Football Coaching and the program, visit https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/chase-football-coaching-programme/