Sport nationDespite making 189 appearances for Arsenal before Saturday’s game against Chelsea, Bukayo Saka had never worn the captain’s armband for the Gunners’ first team.
The winger is obviously one of the younger members of the squad, so it’s no real surprise he hasn’t been handed that responsibility on a regular basis.
But Saka got his first opportunity as Arsenal captain at the weekend, and he didn’t disappoint.
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) speaks with Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on October 21, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) speaks with Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on October 21, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
With Arsenal 2-1 down in the 78th minute, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard was replaced by Kai Havertz to try and turn the game around.
Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
Odegaard’s departure from the contest meant the armband had to go elsewhere, and Saka was handed the responsibility.
Just six minutes later, the Arsenal academy graduate set up an equalising goal.
Lifting a tantalising ball to the far post, Saka found the right foot of Leandro Trossard, who turned home for 2-2.
Leandro Trossard warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France
Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (L) and Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France, on October 3, 2023.
It’s unlikely Saka will take the armband on a regular basis, with a number of other players in the squad probably better placed to receive it when Odegaard isn’t available – which is an uncommon occurrence in itself.
But Saka has never shied away from responsibility, and Saturday’s game was just the latest example of that.
Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
TAGSBukayo SakaChelsea vs ArsenalMartin OdegaardMikel Arteta
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Trossard explains what Arsenal changed to grab draw at Chelsea
Despite making 189 appearances for Arsenal before Saturday’s game against Chelsea, Bukayo Saka had never worn the captain’s armband for the Gunners’ first team.
The winger is obviously one of the younger members of the squad, so it’s no real surprise he hasn’t been handed that responsibility on a regular basis.
But Saka got his first opportunity as Arsenal captain at the weekend, and he didn’t disappoint.
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) speaks with Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on October 21, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) speaks with Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on October 21, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
With Arsenal 2-1 down in the 78th minute, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard was replaced by Kai Havertz to try and turn the game around.
Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
Odegaard’s departure from the contest meant the armband had to go elsewhere, and Saka was handed the responsibility.
Just six minutes later, the Arsenal academy graduate set up an equalising goal.
Lifting a tantalising ball to the far post, Saka found the right foot of Leandro Trossard, who turned home for 2-2.
Leandro Trossard warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France
Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka (L) and Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France, on October 3, 2023.
It’s unlikely Saka will take the armband on a regular basis, with a number of other players in the squad probably better placed to receive it when Odegaard isn’t available – which is an uncommon occurrence in itself.
But Saka has never shied away from responsibility, and Saturday’s game was just the latest example of that.
Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
TAGSBukayo SakaChelsea vs ArsenalMartin OdegaardMikel Arteta
Previous article
Trossard explains what Arsenal changed to grab draw at Chelsea
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