The important role Arsenal star Bukayo Saka still plays in the Hale End academy system now revealed

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal’s Hale End academy setup has proven itself to be extremely productive in recent years.

Bukayo Saka is now a vital figure in Mikel Arteta’s first team at Arsenal. 

The England international winger is a graduate of the Hale End academy, and is now a talismanic presence at the Emirates Stadium.

Saka is one of the most productive attackers in the Premier League and is key to the Gunners’ hopes of landing silverware this season. 

It is vital that the 23-year-old forward is able to remain fit and firing throughout this campaign. Meanwhile, the winger also has a role to play when it comes to bringing through the next generation of homegrown stars at the Emirates Stadium.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house

Per Mertesacker hails Bukayo Saka as an Arsenal inspiration

Former Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker is now head of the Hale End academy setup.

Part of the German’s role is to guide youngsters and create a pathway to the first team for them. Saka is a success story that he can use to provide an example for young players to aspire towards.

Mertesacker has now revealed that Saka’s story regularly comes up in his interactions with youngsters, though he has to be careful not to promise too much.

Speaking to Football.London, he said: “There are multiple opportunities for talented eight year olds, you have to get it right within the system then. 

“I need to present to parents and tell them about the 1% that make it. I am not going to say ‘you are going to make it, you are going to be the next Bukayo’. We use that as inspiration but there is an element of reality also.”

Saka must guide Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly

17-year-old duo Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are currently breaking through into the first team squad. Arteta is under pressure from Arsenal fans to give the talented pair regular game time. 

Having relatively recently made the transition into the first team himself, Saka will be able to offer Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly support and guidance in the dressing room.

Even at this stage, Saka can still provide inspiration for the likes of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, as not only has he made the step up to the first team, but he has established himself as a true star at that level too.