The contract is not yet signed, but it's only a matter of time. Bukayo Saka is set to become the highest-paid player at Arsenal, earning around £300,000 (approximately €345,000) per week, making him the fifth highest earner in the Premier League. This is recognition for a player adored by fans, who has earned the status of the biggest gem in London’s youth academy since he was a boy. Bukayo Saka was born in the capital, the son of Nigerian parents who left their home country for England in search of a better life. The name may not mean much to us, but it carries a powerful significance. Bukayo comes from the Yoruba language, a dialect from southern Nigeria, and means 'God has added joy to my life.' Saka has indeed brought joy to Arsenal fans, who do not always have great achievements to celebrate, but have witnessed his incredible rise at the club. He was just 17 years old when he made his first-team debut in a Europa League match against Polish side Wrocław on November 29, 2018. By January 2019, he made his first appearance for Arsenal in the Premier League, and in October 2020, he was called up by Gareth Southgate to the England national team for the first time. Years later, Saka reflected on the whirlwind of his rapid evolution and credited one of his former teammates for his success: David Luiz, who became a star at Benfica and has always kept an eye on Saka, seen as one of the biggest prospects in English football. 'I received a lot of help from different players, but I would say that David Luiz had the biggest impact. He did the most for me and my career. Breaking into the first team is not always the easiest experience. You can’t imagine what David did for all the young players coming into the first team. He always found a way to do something for us, both on and off the pitch. He is an incredible man,' he said in an interview with LADbible TV. It has been said that Saka's fantastic performances at Arsenal opened the doors to the England national team for him. In 2021, he experienced some of the most incredible days of his short career as a footballer, progressing through the European Championship, which took place a year later due to the pandemic. It felt like a fairy tale when he reached the final, which was even more incredible as it was held at Wembley, the iconic venue in the city where he was born. After 90 minutes, the score was tied (1-1), and the score remained unchanged during extra time. Then came the penalties and the toughest moment of Saka's career. Like Rashford and Sancho, he failed to score, and the backlash following England's defeat was extremely harsh. So harsh that the Football Association and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, had to intervene to stop the madness. Upon returning to the club, Saka received the warm support of his loyal fans, but for a while, he seemed like a sad boy running around the pitch, lacking the sparkle of earlier times. Until Saka became Saka again. With goals and assists, those dribbles that only he can pull off, he was named the club's Player of the Season twice, and this season he has renewed his contract until 2031, earning the status of one of the greatest players in Arsenal's history, as the club positions itself as a strong contender for the Premier League title this year. There are incredible stories…
Bukayo Saka Arsenal remains central to this story.
Bukayo Saka Arsenal remains central to this story.
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