Arsenal knew how good Bukayo Saka was in the academy because staff were ‘really worried’ about one thing

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Bukayo Saka made his first team debut for Arsenal in 2018, but the winger’s journey started long before his Europa League cameo.

It’s been quite the journey for the 23-year-old, who has risen from a Hale End prodigy to Arsenal and England’s poster boy. 

Saka recently starred against Real Madrid to truly inform any possible doubters of his world-class quality, being one of Mikel Arteta’s finest talents in the Arsenal squad at present. 

An academy graduate playing as Arsenal’s leading forward, Saka’s rise has been quite astonishing since it all began for the winger at the age of eight. 

• READ MORE: Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka’s life outside of football from family and girlfriend to £2.3m home

When Arsenal academy staff realised Bukayo Saka’s ability 

Saka joined Arsenal as an U9’s player, skipping through the ranks to become a role model at his boyhood club and, of course, for his country. 

Though the 23-year-old has stood the test of time, seeing those who rose alongside him at Hale End come and go, things weren’t always that simple for the starlet. 

Thierry Henry admitted Saka wasn’t a standout at Hale End, with other talents being more spoken about at the time, including the likes of Donyell Malen and Reiss Nelson.

The Arsenal legend’s admission about the forward would’ve come as a surprise to many, but it’s arguably not the most peculiar story of the wide player’s time at Hale End. 

In an interview with Arsenal’s official website, Head of Academy Coaching Luke Hobbs shared his memories of ‘the first time’ he heard about Saka. 

“I joined in 2013, and I remember the first time I heard his name,” Hobbs said, before recalling a conversation he had with staff that made him realise how highly rated the youngster was.

“They were talking about squad numbers for the season, and I don’t know how they were decided, maybe alphabetical order, but they were really worried that this lad called Bukayo Saka would have to be No. 3 and what would his family think of that.

“They were saying this kid is a top player, would he be annoyed having a defensive number?”

Hobbs revealed that members of the academy staff were concerned about offending Saka and his family by handing the teen a defensive number, which to him, only emphasised how good of a prospect he was at the time.

“All I remember thinking is: ‘this kid must be pretty good if we are worried about what number to give him!’”

How far is Saka from Arsenal’s all-time Premier League appearance record?

Hobbs recalled that the Englishman’s family were far from concerned about squad numbers, celebrating the Hale End graduate’s humble upbringing.

Such traits haven’t left Saka, who is celebrated for his passion for the game, being a player who truly loves representing Arsenal and England.

From U9’s prospect to making 253 appearances, and counting, for his boyhood club, the future is on course to be record-breaking for the winger. 

Given that Saka wants to sign a new contract at Arsenal, the 23-year-old will likely one day eclipse Ray Parlour’s record of most Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

Parlour made 333 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League, a figure Saka is closing in on with 188 so far.

There are few players as content at their clubs as Saka, who will be gunning for silverware, success and records as he continues to progress at the Emirates.