"I can't put it into words" - Bukayo Saka details experience of captaining boyhood club Arsenal
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has revealed his excitement about captaining the Gunners this season. The 23-year-old winger has had the opportunity to lead his teammates a few times this season in the absence of club captain Martin Odegaard.
Saka wore the captain's armband in his side's thrilling 2-2 draw away to defending champions Manchester City in September last month. He was also saddled with the opportunity of leading his team in their second UEFA Champions League game of the season against French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
The English international has been one of Arsenal's standout performers in recent seasons, since breaking into the Gunners' first team as a teenager. Saka is now relishing the opportunity of stepping into the leadership role this season under Mikel Arteta.
When asked how it feels to captain his boyhood club, the electric left-footed winger told CBS Sport that he can't categorically put it into words. In his words, he said:
"That's one of the things where I become speechless when people ask me. Everyone knows my journey, where I came from. To take the captain's armband, walk the lads out at the Emirates Stadium. I can't put it into words."
He also added that he always feels delighted when he sees Gunners' fans wear his number seven shirt number. In his words:
"When the new kits come out you see it across all of London. I'm always looking out to see if someone has my number on. It's always a nice feeling when you see a little kid or an older man wearing one of my shirts."
"I never take it for granted and if I can give them a bit of my time, a bit of love back to them, I'll try to do that too," he concluded.
Bukayo Saka heaps praise on fellow Arsenal teammate following decent start to the new season
The England international was full of kind words for teammate Kai Havertz, who has been in top form this season. Both players have arguably been Arsenal's standout stars, and they were both on target in their last Premier League game against Southampton.
Both players have registered a combined total of nine goals across all competitions for Arsenal this season. When asked what he makes of Havertz, Saka was quick to label the German international as an 'unbelievable player'. In his words via CBS Sport, Saka said:
"I've always thought Kai's an unbelievable player. Everyone in the dressing room did too. We're so happy that he's showing that. This season he has come out with even more confidence, I think he's scored in almost every game."
Saka went further to back Havertz to deliver more goals this season:
"He's going to score a lot of goals this season. He has a really good understanding around the box, when to attack it, and that's why he gets a lot of chances and that's why hopefully he'll score a lot of goals."