Soccer
Ahead of a crucial Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday, Bukayo Saka reaffirmed his ambition to win trophies with Arsenal.
Now an indispensable part of Mikel Arteta’s side, Saka still has two years remaining on his current deal —reportedly worth up to £300,000 per week — with the club eager to begin talks over an extension.
The 23-year-old was sidelined with a serious hamstring injury late last year and only made his comeback last week, marking it with a goal in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Fulham.
While his return has probably come too late to salvage Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, European glory is a realistic aim.
“For me, I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge,” Saka said on Monday.
“I think it is pretty clear – the fans know how much I love them and you saw when I came on on Tuesday [against Everton], I think they love me back, so it is a good relationship. I am really happy to be here and I’m just focused on winning.”
The England international rebuffed talks of a stall in his contract negotiations, insisting he is relaxed about the situation.
“I don’t think anyone is really in a rush. I have got two years left on my contract so it is pretty relaxed. Everyone knows my thoughts and I’ve let you guys know as well so I don’t think there’s any rush really,” he said.
When asked about his Ballon d’Or ambitions, Saka acknowledged it as a distant but driving goal.
“I think it’s a dream for a lot of players. I’m just working hard to do my best for my team, and any individual awards that come of it, I’ll accept it,” he replied.
The England international made another appearance in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday. He replaced Ethan Nwaneri for the second half and recorded two shots, two dribbles, and created one chance.
Reflecting on his injury lay-off, Saka said: “I think mentally it was really good for me.
“Obviously it was really tough for me initially to find out the extent of my injury, that I was going to have surgery, it was really tough for me to hear the news at first but once it was done and successful I was just focused on coming back stronger and I had a lot of time.”
“The players are ready, we’re up for it. I honestly have no doubt that the fans tomorrow will be up for it as well and will create the most beautiful atmosphere the stadium has ever witnessed.”
Bukayo previews our Champions League quarter-final
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 7, 2025
Now, as Arsenal prepare to face Madrid over two legs, Saka believes his time on the sidelines might prove beneficial.
“The past five years I’ve been playing game after game so it was the first proper break I’ve had,” he said.
“It was really good for me. I got to do a lot of things that I don’t normally do. It’s really nice to be back and I feel fresh mentally.
“I’m just focused now on the positives and I couldn’t ask to come back at a better time of the season than now.”
Saka’s importance to Arsenal is underlined by his impact this season – 10 goals and 14 assists in 26 matches in all competitions, including four goals in the Champions League.
The Gunners lost in the quarter-finals last year, going out to Bayern Munich at a time when they were still battling Manchester City for the Premier League title.
This time, with league leaders Liverpool having an 11-point cushion at the top of the league, all of Arsenal’s eggs are in their European basket, and Saka believes Tuesday’s first leg could be one of the most incredible nights Emirates Stadium has seen.
“It’s a very big night and the stakes are high against one of the best teams in the competition,” he said.
“It’s the first time the club has been in back-to-back Champions League quarter-finals for a while, so tomorrow night we want to take the next step and try and get over the line.”
This will be just the third meeting between Arsenal and Madrid in European competition, following their last 16 tie in the Champions League in 2005-06.
Arsenal won 1-0 in the first leg away from home, before drawing 0-0 at Highbury in the second leg (1-0 on aggregate).
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