Forward of a vital Champions League quarter-final first leg in opposition to Actual Madrid on Tuesday, Bukayo Saka reaffirmed his ambition to win trophies with Arsenal.
Now an indispensable a part of Mikel Arteta’s facet, Saka nonetheless has two years remaining on his present deal —reportedly value as much as £300,000 per week — with the membership keen to start talks over an extension.
The 23-year-old was sidelined with a critical hamstring damage late final yr and solely made his comeback final week, marking it with a aim in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Fulham.
Whereas his return has most likely come too late to salvage Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, European glory is a practical goal.
“For me, I need to win and I need to win carrying this badge,” Saka mentioned on Monday.
“I feel it’s fairly clear – the followers understand how a lot I really like them and also you noticed after I got here on on Tuesday [against Everton], I feel they love me again, so it’s a good relationship. I’m actually joyful to be right here and I’m simply centered on profitable.”
The England worldwide rebuffed talks of a stall in his contract negotiations, insisting he’s relaxed in regards to the state of affairs.
“I don’t assume anybody is actually in a rush. I’ve received two years left on my contract so it’s fairly relaxed. Everybody is aware of my ideas and I’ve allow you to guys know as nicely so I don’t assume there’s any rush actually,” he mentioned.
When requested about his Ballon d’Or ambitions, Saka acknowledged it as a distant however driving aim.
“I feel it’s a dream for lots of gamers. I’m simply working exhausting to do my greatest for my group, and any particular person awards that come of it, I’ll settle for it,” he replied.
The England worldwide made one other look in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday. He changed Ethan Nwaneri for the second half and recorded two photographs, two dribbles, and created one likelihood.
Reflecting on his damage lay-off, Saka mentioned: “I feel mentally it was actually good for me.
“Clearly it was actually robust for me initially to seek out out the extent of my damage, that I used to be going to have surgical procedure, it was actually robust for me to listen to the information at first however as soon as it was accomplished and profitable I used to be simply centered on coming again stronger and I had numerous time.”
“The gamers are prepared, we’re up for it. I actually have little doubt that the followers tomorrow will probably be up for it as nicely and can create essentially the most stunning ambiance the stadium has ever witnessed.”
Bukayo previews our Champions League quarter-final
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 7, 2025
Now, as Arsenal put together to face Madrid over two legs, Saka believes his time on the sidelines would possibly show useful.
“The previous 5 years I’ve been taking part in sport after sport so it was the primary correct break I’ve had,” he mentioned.
“It was actually good for me. I received to do numerous issues that I don’t usually do. It’s very nice to be again and I really feel contemporary mentally.
“I’m simply centered now on the positives and I couldn’t ask to come back again at a greater time of the season than now.”
Saka’s significance to Arsenal is underlined by his impression this season – 10 objectives and 14 assists in 26 matches in all competitions, together with 4 objectives within the Champions League.
The Gunners misplaced within the quarter-finals final yr, going out to Bayern Munich at a time after they had been nonetheless battling Manchester Metropolis for the Premier League title.
This time, with league leaders Liverpool having an 11-point cushion on the prime of the league, all of Arsenal’s eggs are of their European basket, and Saka believes Tuesday’s first leg could possibly be one of the unimaginable nights Emirates Stadium has seen.
“It’s a really massive evening and the stakes are excessive in opposition to top-of-the-line groups within the competitors,” he mentioned.
“It’s the primary time the membership has been in back-to-back Champions League quarter-finals for some time, so tomorrow evening we need to take the following step and try to recover from the road.”
This will probably be simply the third assembly between Arsenal and Madrid in European competitors, following their final 16 tie within the Champions League in 2005-06.
Arsenal gained 1-0 within the first leg away from house, earlier than drawing 0-0 at Highbury within the second leg (1-0 on combination).
