Bukayo Saka says he was ‘shocked’ after what David Luiz once said about him in Arsenal team meeting

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Bukayo Saka has always named David Luiz as the one player who helped him the most when he first broke into the Arsenal first-team.

The Englishman is still only 23 years old, but it feels like he has been in the senior setup for years. He is Arsenal’s best player and is always a joy to watch.

Saka was just as exciting when he first burst onto the scene at 17, but it must have been difficult to be himself among other superstars in the team.

Luiz made life much easier for Saka, and the Arsenal number seven remembers him even to this day.

What David Luiz did in an Arsenal team meeting that ‘shocked’ Bukayo Saka

Luiz spent two seasons at Arsenal after joining the club from Chelsea.

The Brazilian had his ups and downs on the pitch at the Emirates, but he was always a hugely important player behind the scenes at the club.

Luiz’s experience often helped the younger players, and Saka is still grateful for everything the former PSG man did for him all those years ago.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website about his growth at the club, the England star claimed that Luiz went out of his way to make him feel at home in the first team.

He apparently heaped praise on Saka in team meetings to make everyone else realise how good a player he was. That ‘shocked’ the Arsenal number seven.

Saka said: “I’d say every young player needs a bit of help and guidance – it’s not so easy coming into a big team like this. I’ve always said that David Luiz had one of the biggest influences on me.

“From the first few sessions I had with the team, I remember him mentioning me in team meetings about how good I am, and he told everyone how much he believed in me.

“For a young player to hear that is great. I was shocked that he even did it, to be honest. After that, he took me under his wing, and advised me.

“And it wasn’t just me, it was all the young players. He was there for us.”

READ MORE: 8 worst Arsenal VAR decisions of all time including David Luiz’s shock red card

What has David Luiz been up to since leaving Arsenal

Luiz was an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s squad, but in 2021, he decided to leave the club.

The Brazilian returned home and joined Flamengo. He is still there, having played 132 times in all competitions.

Luiz helped Flamengo win the Copa Libertadores in 2022 and also the Brazilian Cup on two different occasions. He is 37 now but is still going strong.

Most Arsenal fans may not remember Luiz too fondly for his performances, but he deserves a lot of love and respect for helping Saka become the player he is today.