Saka handed the number 7 shirt for next season

Bukayo Saka has been handed the number 7 shirt for next season. 

The 18 year old is a graduate of the Arsenal academy and has had a breakout season. He made his first team debut for the Gunners in 2018 against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League. Since then, he has made 42 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions during which time he has scored four goals and provided eleven assists. 

He is a winger with sublime technical ability, pace and versatility. Kieran Tierney suffered an injury in December that kept him out for more than three months. As Kolasinac was also on the sidelines at the time, Saka stepped up and played as a left back for Arsenal. He performed exceedingly well and retained his role as left back even after Kolasinac regained fitness. 

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta took over at the club just after Tierney’s injury and played a key role in making Saka play at left back and put in impressive performances. The Spaniard is a big fan of Saka and the 18 year old is a central figure in the head coach’s long term plans at the club. Since the Premier League restarted, he has played in central midfield, as a wing back and out wide. No Arsenal player has provided more assists than Bukayo Saka this season. 

There were a lot of rumours about Saka’s future. He only had one year remaining on his deal and a host of top clubs were reportedly interested in signing him. The player ended all speculation by signing a new long term deal with the Gunners much to the delight of Arteta, Arsenal Football Club and Gooners all over the world.