English Premier League
‘All of us used to look up to Alex Iwobi’ – Bukayo Saka
By Monsurah Olatunji
English forward of Nigerian descent, Bukayo Saka has recognized the significant influence of fellow Hale End academy graduate Alex Iwobi during his formative years.
The Arsenal forward named the 28-year-old as one of his role models in the academy alongside a player (Chuba Akpom) who managed just 12 outings in the first team.
The 23-year-old also revealed how he looked up to these role models — which includes Jack Wilshere and Chuba Akpom — as they paved the way for young players to break into the first team.
The winger is the final academy product of his age on the Gunners’ books having taken up the mantle as a role model for the next generation.
The Englishman burst onto the scene when he was just 17 years old and made his Gunners debut under Unai Emery.
Now a key player for the Gunners and England, Saka provided a tangible example of what was possible for young players coming through the ranks.
“When I was in the academy, all of us used to look at Alex Iwobi, Chuba Akpom and Jack Wilshere,” he told the club’s website.
“They had come through the academy, were quite close to our age as well, and we got to go to a lot of games at Emirates Stadium, so we got to see them play a lot.
“We all loved watching Jack, and we saw a lot of ourselves in him too, because he had come through the way we wanted to. The same for Alex and the same for Chuba.
“I was about 13 when I got Chuba’s shirt, and I was so happy. I even sent him a message on Instagram to thank him. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish.”
