Bukayo Saka recently made a return to Hale End, where he came through the academy, to inspire young Gunners with dreams of reaching the first team.
Bukayo joined the academy at the age of seven and earned his professional contract 10 years later.
Speaking to Frimmy on the way to Hale End, Bukayo recalled: “When you first sign, you put the Arsenal kit on every week and I was like ‘wow, I’m playing for Arsenal.’ You tell you friends, it’s still fresh and they’re not getting bored of hearing it.”
“He’s an inspiration as a player but also as a person and that’s really important to us,” Academy Manager Per Mertesacker said.
Luke Hobbs, Head of Academy Coaching, added: “He’s just a normal lad. But for the young boys here it’s so inspirational. He wants to make sure he sticks to his roots and we’re buzzing to have him here.”
Former Arsenal Academy Coach, Freddie Ljungberg, who helped Bukayo on his way to his debut in the first team, said: “He’s a great kid who worked really hard at everything so I’m so happy for him. I challenged him a bit but he understood the principle of learning.”
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