Prior to a crucial Champions League quarterfinals first stage against Real Madrid on Tuesday, Bukayo Saka confirmed his ambition to win trophies with Arsenal.
Now an indispensable part of Mikel Arteta, Saka has two more years about his current deal – reported up to £ 300,000 a week – with the club that wants to become enthusiastic about an extension.
The 23-year-old was sidelined at the end of last year with a serious hamstring injury and only made his comeback last week, making it marked with a goal in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Fulham.
Although his return was probably too late to save Arsenal's Premier League title, European Glory is a realistic goal.
“For me I want to win and I want to win by wearing this badge,” said Saka on Monday.
“I think it's pretty clear – the fans know how much I love them and you saw when I came up on Tuesday [against Everton]I think they love me, so it's a good relationship. I am really happy to be here and I am just focused on winning. “
The international of England has rejected discussions about a stall in his contract negotiations and insisted that he is relaxed about the situation.
“I don't think anyone is really in a hurry. I have two more years left on my contract, so it's pretty relaxed. Everyone knows my thoughts and I let you know, so I don't think there's really a hurry,” he said.
Asked for his balloon d'Or ambitions, Saka acknowledged it as a distant but row.
“I think it is a dream for many players. I just work hard to do my best for my team, and all the individual prizes that come from it, I will accept it,” he replied.
The International of England appeared again on Saturday in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Everton. He replaced Ethan Nwaneri for the second half and recorded two shots, two dribbles, and created one chance.
Thinking about his injury dismissal, Saka said: “I think it was really good for me mentally.
“It was clear for me in the first instance to find out the size of my injury that I would undergo surgery, it was really difficult for me to hear the news in the beginning, but once it was ready and successful, I was simply focused on coming back stronger and I had a lot of time.”
“The players are ready, we are ready. I honestly have no doubt that the fans will also be there tomorrow and will create the most beautiful atmosphere that the stadium has ever seen.”
Bukayo offers an example of our quarterfinals of the Champions League
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) April 7, 2025
Now that Arsenal is preparing for Madrid over two legs, Saka believes that his time on the sidelines can be favorable.
“The last five years I played after the game, so it was the first right break I had,” he said.
“It was really good for me. I have to do a lot of things that I don't normally do. It's really fun to be back and I feel mentally fresh.
“I am now just focused on the positive points and I could not ask to come back to a better time of the season than now.”
The importance of Saka for Arsenal is underlined by its impact this season – 10 goals and 14 assists in 26 games in all competitions, including four goals in the Champions League.
The Gunners lost in the quarterfinals last year and went to Bayern Munich at a time when they were still fought against Manchester City for the Premier League title.
This time, with competition leaders, with Liverpool with a 11-point pillow at the top of the competition, all the eggs of Arsenal in their European basket and Saka believe that the first stage of Tuesday could be one of the most incredible nights that Emirates Stadium has seen.
“It's a very big night and the bet is high against one of the best teams in the competition,” he said.
“It is the first time that the club has been in back-to-back Champions League quart finals for a while, so tomorrow night we want to take the next step and try to get over the line.”
This will only be the third meeting between Arsenal and Madrid in the European competition, after their last 16 draw in the Champions League in 2005-06.
Arsenal won 1-0 in the first stage away from home, before he pulled 0-0 in Highbury in the second stage (1-0 on aggregated).
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