The story of Bukayo Saka’s rise to the top at Arsenal will be one many will fondly remember as he continues to go from strength to strength at the club.
Coming through the Hale End academy, the winger had been tipped for the very top though his time in the senior team started in a different way.
Saka was played as a full-back early on before he shifted to the more accustomed right-wing position he has made his own at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
Plenty have outlined the great character on display from the Gunners star, with Aaron Ramsdale praising Saka as one of many players who have outlined their love for the winger.
His story in football started before his time at Arsenal though, with some grassroots experience to show for his time growing up.
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Bukayo Saka’s old coach on grassroots upbringing
Plenty of football players start in the game with their passion for it, simply kicking a ball around at a young age until they reach a stage where they can develop their skills.
For Saka, he did that with Greenford Celtic, where he featured at under-seven level and was seemingly one of the best in his group.
When meeting up with his old coach, he said: “First season, you won everything mate,” being something of a precursor to his current stardom.
On the grassroots opportunities, the coach said: “By having someone outside of let’s say the family or the school that they trust and they look up to.
“It’s someone they can come to, to talk if need be.”
Discussing his own grassroots experience, Saka added: “When I came to the games he always made everyone feel confident and loved and supported and that’s all you can ask for at that age, you know?
“The coaches have a really big impact on young players but that’s only if the coaches create the right environment.”
Bukayo Saka on how grassroots coach helped him make Arsenal move
That love of the game from a young age can often be driven by the support of coaches who can offer an insight into playing football.
Whether it’s making activities fun and enjoyable or giving them the freedom to play, the role played has certainly had an impact on where Saka is now at Arsenal.
On his time in grassroots, Saka continued: “Obviously he was the manager of the team and in that team he gave nine or ten players an opportunity to come and train every week and play matches and have fun and be happy and take them away from something else that they could’ve been doing which could’ve potentially not been as positive for their lives.
“With myself, I’m here today because he was one of the people who gave me the opportunity to play football and from then on I got scouted.”
It’s the pathway to enjoy the sport for what it is, regardless of upbringing or ability, the love of the game is the early driving force behind the elite level, even now.
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