There’s no doubt that Bukayo Saka is Arsenal and England’s starboy. The individual accolades have been piling up ever since his name first cropped up on the teamsheet. Listed for the FIFA Golden Boy Award in 2021, he is the back to back England Men’s Player of the Season, twice he has been awarded Arsenal Men’s Player of the Season, he's the PFA Young Player of the Year for 2022-23, and now FIFA Balon d'Or nominee 2023. In short the 22 year old’s career is on the up and up.

Over the course of this podcast The Athletic looks back on Saka’s brief story so far. Topics include first impressions of Bukayo as a boy, his values, how a player goes from the Academy to professional player, comparisons with Arsenal legend David Rocastle, the aftermath of the Euro 2020 Final, and what his future holds.

You will hear from former players Ian Wright and Adrian Clarke, Saka’s former coaches Greg Lincoln, Stephen Morrow, Andries Jonker, Arsenal administrator Lynn Chaney, and The Athletic’s Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas.

Get ready to fall in love a little more with the Starboy.

Written and produced by Abi Paterson

Sound mixing and production by Jay Beale

Interviews by Amy Lawrence and James McNicholas

Additional production by Mike Stavrou

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Bukayo Saka: Arsenal and England’s starboy