Bukayo Saka insists he just wants everyone playing their best for Arsenal, amid questions about fears that Alexandre Lacazette will take his place.
Lacazette is back in contention to feature for Arsenal from tonight’s match onwards, though at the time of writing there’s no confirmation he’ll be ready for a start against Sheffield United specifically.
If he is, and Unai Emery decides to select him, Saka is the most likely player to miss out. Emery is hardly going to drop Aubameyang, and Nicolas Pepe also seems to be a nailed-on starter right now.
After three consecutive Premier League starts, you’d think this might come as a disappointment to Saka, but he says he’s just focusing on everyone pushing each other to achieve results as a team.
“It’s always good to have all our best players available, all of us competing makes us push to play better and better,” Saka said. “If one player is injured then others get an opportunity but I want everyone to come back and do the best for Arsenal.
“The boss knows what I can do, what the other players can do. Different games require different players but I feel like I’ve shown the boss he can trust me. Whatever game he puts me in I’ll always give it my all.”
Saka admits he’s living his dream at the moment, but he’s aware of all the people around him who have made that possible. The teenager says he wants to repay them rather than getting greedy.
“It has always been a dream for me,” Saka continued. “I’ve been working for this moment as a kid, in the academy. Now I’ve got to the first team I just want to give it my best to repay the faith the boss has given me.
“It’s not just about me. The players give me a lot of confidence, the boss gives me a lot of confidence. When the boss is going to start you at Old Trafford it’s going to give you a lot of confidence.”
Whether Saka or Lacazette start in Sheffield, the other can certainly have an impact on the match from the bench. The squad need to start thinking as a collective and just focus on getting as many wins under their belts as possible over the upcoming busy period.