Bukayo Saka is the God-fearing, video game-loving, smiling assassin

DANIEL MATTHEWS: Tricks and Twix mean life is sweet for Arsenal ‘Starboy’ Bukayo Saka… the God-fearing, video game-loving, smiling assassin is lighting up their Premier League title charge

• Saka scored a sensational goal in Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Manchester United 
• Winger is cultivating a more ruthless, clinical edge but still just wants to ‘enjoy it’

There is a particular passage of play that stuck with the PE teacher at Greenford High School in west London.

Not during the Year 8 County Cup win. But when Bukayo Saka — then in Year 7 — had possession on the right wing, beat a handful of defenders, before cutting inside and firing a left-foot shot into the top corner. It turns out Saka hasn’t forgotten that skill, either.

On Sunday evening, as Arsenal tried to wrestle free of Manchester United, Saka picked up the ball near the same flank. This time, he needed only to shimmy beyond Christian Eriksen on to his left foot. This time, the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s smiling assassin, who will shred defences with dynamite in both feet 

Not much else has survived the decade in between. Nothing in Saka’s life has remained unblemished by the harsh and howling winds of football. Except his faith, his charm. And the fearless abandon that still defines 90 minutes of his week. Saka is cultivating a more ruthless, clinical edge but nothing — not his rise, the penalty heartbreak, the racist abuse — has altered his mission statement from a while back: ‘I just want to enjoy it.’

He remains Arsenal’s smiling assassin, who will shred defences with dynamite in both feet. Who lost countless balls in the bush behind his garden but would always return to the shop for another. Who these days prepares for matches with Afrobeats and a Twix bar.

Greenford High has produced a few decent footballers — Saka’s path towards Arsenal and beyond was laid by Paul Merson. Jermaine Beckford is another former pupil and PE staff have said Saka played down his own ability. In the classroom, teachers recall his discipline and respect. His sharp mind for maths and his eye for a joke.

Saka (left) scored a sensational goal in Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Manchester United

At Arsenal, the 21-year-old is no prankster like, say, David Luiz was. But Saka’s positivity and infectious personality makes him popular with staff and players. One recent Christmas, he dressed up as Santa and handed out gifts to employees at London Colney.

‘He’s just so pure,’ one source said. ‘With everyone from the facility staff to one of the players, he’ll find something to joke about.’

Arsenal has been his second home since the age of eight. His father used to wait outside school to take him to training. Up at 8am, back around 11pm. Four days a week. No wonder Saka used the car journeys and every spare minute in the morning to catch up on sleep.

Arsenal has been his second home since the age of eight 

The family who raised Arsenal’s ‘Starboy’ remain a pivotal part of his life. They are involved in talks over a lucrative new contract. Older brother Yomi is also one of his closest friends.

In the dressing room, Saka is tight with other academy graduates Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe. Captain Martin Odegaard is a useful sounding board, Cedric Soares an unlikely sidekick. Saka once mentioned that he wasn’t a strong swimmer, so Cedric decided to teach him.

Away from the club, Saka keeps a tight network of close friends. He doesn’t drink or use a personal chef. Days off are often spent playing football — ‘because it’s happiness for me’ — or shopping in central London. Fashion is one of Saka’s side passions.

So is gaming — he enjoys FIFA battles against Nketiah or dabbling in Call of Duty — while music follows him into the shower and en route to matches. Particularly Afrobeats — ‘it makes you happy, smile, dance’. Saka listed some songs in a recent interview. Among them? Ballon D’Or by Burna Boy.

The studying has rarely relented, too. At school, despite his long days chasing another dream, he left with a clutch of As and A*s at GCSE. During last year’s World Cup, he launched a spelling school, testing the likes of Jack Grealish from behind the camera.

Saka is tight with academy graduates Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe

Recently, pupils and staff from Greenford High visited the Emirates to compete for the inaugural ‘Challenge Saka Trophy’. His knowledge of mental maths and Spanish had not deserted him, but Saka was edged out after flunking questions on the Battle of Hastings and Vincent van Gogh.

In his defence, textbooks have made way for the Bible now. Every night, Saka reads passages before heading to bed. His identity is entwined with faith. ‘My grandma gave (the name Bukayo) to me because of its meaning,’ he told GQ. ‘It means, “God has added joy to my life”. She wanted me to add joy to the family.’

These days, religion also helps explain why he plays with so few worries. ‘I can be confident and go into places knowing that God’s got me. That’s why a lot of times I can be fearless,’ explained Saka.

His boyish looks remain thanks, in part, to a daily dose of cocoa butter. That hides all the scars and all the smiles from his short but storied career. Some can be traced through the lasting images of major tournaments — the inflatable unicorn and the tears at Euro 2020 — and this title charge with Arsenal.

The Arsenal forward took up the challenge to emulate Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg

One curious theme of the campaign has been Arteta’s PR strategy. Despite Saka’s relentless brilliance, the manager often prefers to focus instead on what still separates him from the very best. Someone close to Saka believes that might be wise: the winger relishes a challenge.

Take Sunday, when he battled Luke Shaw — a good friend and arguably the Premier League’s finest defender since the World Cup — and eventually ground him into submission.

Even before the game, someone messaged the winger, reminding him that he could match Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg by scoring in three consecutive League games against United.

‘Challenge accepted,’ came Saka’s reply. And then, after a quick dip into his old bag of tricks, challenge accomplished.

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