Bukayo Saka has teamed up with New Balance to give back to the new generation.
The 20-year-old headed back to his old primary school, the Edward Betham C Of E Primary School in Greenford, where the A* student turned Arsenal and England golden boy helped inspire kids and provide them with fresh New Balance apparel for the future.
Alongside helping out with the provision of some New Balance x Bukayo Saka-sponsored football shirts for the next generation to wear, a mural of Bukayo has been painted at his school to serve as a source of inspiration for pupils.
Speaking about his return to his old school, Saka said: “Special feeling going back to my primary school yesterday.Just a few years ago I was in the same shoes of all the kids who are young with big dreams and I hope my return will remind them to believe they can achieve anything!”
Not only one of the biggest role models from his area but in the whole country, seeing Bukayo Saka give back to the school that made him the man he is today is a beautiful thing.
‘Really good’: Mikel Arteta ‘really happy’ with one Arsenal star after Palace win
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was delighted with the performance of Bukayo Saka during Sunday’s 4-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners provided a terrific response following their shock Europa League exit and Saka was undoubtedly the man of the match with a sublime attacking display.
The 21-year-old created the opening goal for Gabriel Martinelli and also found the back of the net in either half.
Following the 4-1 victory, Arteta was impressed with Saka’s showing and said that he was ‘really good’, having made three goal contributions in the London derby.
He told Arsenal.com: “I think the team did really well and we obviously have individuals that excel to be at the level that we want, but he was really, really good today again, affecting the result with his contribution, especially in the opponent’s box, so I’m really happy.”
Saka has made immense progress over the past few years and this season, he has stepped up his performances to another level with more goal involvements in the league.
With the assist for Martinelli, the Gunners graduate has become the first Premier League player this season to register 10 goals and 10 assists, which is a huge achievement.
Despite the glowing statistics, Saka will be fully focused on the job ahead. The Gunners will return to top-flight action against Leeds United after the international break.
Arsenal currently have an eight-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table, having played a game more. There is still a lot of work to be done with 10 games left.
As Martin Odegaard said recently, every game is a final for the club and it remains to be seen whether they can sustain the momentum after the untimely international schedule.
