Arsenal took another step closer to landing some silverware as they booked their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals with a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.
Bukayo Saka did not start that match, but was able to make an impact as a second half substitute, as the winger provided an assist for Gabriel Jesus, helping the Brazilian striker on his way to a match-winning hat-trick.
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad will be desperate to get their hands on a trophy this season, having come agonisingly close in the recent campaigns.
Arteta has said that winning silverware is his main ambition as Arsenal boss, and he has built a squad capable of competing for major honours.
Saka is the talismanic figure within this Arsenal side, and the England international will be keen to begin winning the medals that his talent deserves.
Bukayo Saka lifts lid on Arsenal heartbreaks
Saka’s career so far has been a catalogue of near misses when it comes to landing trophies.
Though the Hale End academy graduate is still just 23-years-old, he has known his fair share of heartbreak. On the international stage, he missed a penalty in the Euro 2020 final, as England lost out to Italy. He also fell short with the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final.
On the domestic front, Saka was an unused substitute as Arsenal were beaten by Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League final.
On top of that, the Gunners have finished as runners up in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Saka has now opened up about this trio of disappointments he has suffered with the Gunners.
He said: “It’s horrible, I’ll be honest. It’s just that extra fuel for me and extra motivation. I want to get it over the line this season and try to lift the trophy, for sure.”
Bukayo Saka shares Arsenal trophy ambitions
Arsenal have not made a perfect start to this season, and are already on the back foot as far as the Premier League title race is concerned. However, Arteta won’t be ready to concede anything to current league leaders Liverpool yet.
On top of that, the Gunners are well-placed in the Champions League, and have now reached the last four in the EFL Cup.
Saka is determined that things will be different for him and his teammates this time around.
He added: “We’re not scared. The last two seasons we’ve competed for the league and come very close.
“We’re also back in the Champions League – we have some experience there now – so we feel we’re ready to compete for every trophy. We really want to take that next step and try to win something.”
Arsenal are still in the Premier League title hunt, but need to now discover some consistency. On top of that, as Arteta’s star man, it is vital that Saka can stay fit and firing on all cylinders.
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