In a season filled with hope and determination, Bukayo Saka, the young star of Arsenal, has made it clear that he and his teammates are not backing down from their desire to win the Premier League and Champions League titles this year. After finishing as runners-up to Manchester City in the past two seasons, Saka and his squad are aiming higher, sitting third in the table and just six points off the top spot. The festive period brings a crucial phase in their campaign, and Saka’s words reflect a confidence that the Gunners are ready to take the next step and claim their first major trophy since their FA Cup win in 2020.

Saka, who has been instrumental in Arsenal’s recent success, explained in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport that the past experiences of narrowly missing out have only fueled his desire to finally lift a major trophy this season. “You work the whole season and you’re so close, you’ve literally got one hand on the trophy, you’re in the final or you’re right there to win the Premier League, or whatever trophy you’re competing for that season, and then you don’t win it… it’s like the whole year’s work… and nothing to show for it,” he said. This has been a common narrative for Arsenal in recent years, but Saka is determined to change that. The team’s return to the Champions League last season, reaching the quarter-finals, has given them valuable experience that they intend to leverage in their quest for silverware.

As the season progresses, Saka’s focus is not just on individual recognition but on contributing to the team’s collective goals. With nine goals and 12 assists in 22 appearances so far, Saka is proving to be one of the most influential players for both club and country. The 23-year-old academy graduate has often drawn comparisons to football greats, and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has encouraged him to match the career numbers of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Saka remains grounded, focusing on what he can control—helping Arsenal win. “People are always going to talk regardless whether I do something or whether I don’t do it,” he says. “Even if we win, people will still talk. So my mentality is just ‘do your thing and live your life’ because people are going to talk regardless.” This mindset reflects Saka’s commitment to the team and his focus on achieving the ultimate goal of winning trophies with Arsenal.

Arsenal’s reputation as set-piece specialists has also contributed to their resurgence, scoring 23 goals from corners since the start of last season—more than any other Premier League team. Saka highlighted the importance of this aspect of their game, saying, “We’re a top side and we happen to be top at set pieces as well. We have some big players and players who are very hungry to score.” As they look to build on their position in the league, Saka and his teammates are determined to continue scoring from set pieces and make it count in the race for major silverware. With Thomas Tuchel set to take over as England’s head coach in January, the prospect of working with such a decorated manager is an exciting one for Saka. His experience with Borussia Dortmund, Paris St-Germain, and Chelsea suggests that Tuchel can bring the winning mentality that Arsenal needs to take the next step. For Saka, the focus is clear: it’s time for Arsenal to stop talking about winning and start doing it.