The manager of Arsenal football club, Mikel Arteta has stressed that the penalty Bukayo Saka missed during Euro 2020 was great for the career of the English football star.
Recall that during the European championship, England played in the final of the tournament against Italy. The match dragged until it got into a penalty shootout.
Unfortunately, three England players – Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Bukayo Saka missed their spot-kicks which helped Italy to win the tournament.
Immediately after the tournament, some fans of the national team took to social media to racially abuse Saka and the rest of his teammates.
However, when the 2021-2022 season kick-started, he received standing ovations during Arsenal’s first set of league games to encourage him.
Hence, the depressing experience of losing an important spot-kick and being racially abused did not weigh Saka down. He was able to bounce back to become one of the most important players under coach Mikel Arteta.
On Sunday, March 6, Bukayo Saka followed Arsenal to Vicarage Road to play a Premier League game against Watford. The 20-year-old right midfielder scored a goal and set up another in Arsenal’s 2-3 win over their host.
After the game, the coach of Arsenal noted that the support Bukayo Saka got after Euro 2020 boosted the footballer’s morale.
“I think Bukayo had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players would ever have and I think it was great for his career because the football world showed how much they like him and how much they respect him,” Spanish coach said.
“I think that was a big boost for him to realize in difficult moments that people are going to give him support, and the club did the same as his teammates.
“Then it’s about giving him that space. What he is already doing is phenomenal and he needs that room. Don’t read too much, do what you do.
“Football is his priority in life and you can see that every day in training and he needs to continue to behave and live the way that he is doing.”
🗣 “He had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players will ever have, it was great for his career.”
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 7, 2022
Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka was given a massive boost with the support he received following the Euro 2020 final pic.twitter.com/nTpaocRGXE
How has Bukayo Saka performed since he missed a penalty in Euro 2020?
Since Bukayo Saka missed a penalty in Euro 2020 on July 11, 2021, the football star has been able to bounce back so well that he has remained a regular at Arsenal and in England’s national team.
So far this season, Saka has played 30 games in all competitions in which he scored 9 goals and provided 5 assists.
While for England’s national team, Saka who made his debut on October 8, 2020, has played 14 games for the national team. Saka has scored four goals and provided two assists for the country.
13 – Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in more goals than any other under-21 player in the Premier League this season (8 goals, 5 assists). Across the big five European leagues, only Florian Wirtz (17) has more combined goals and assists this term. Jewel. pic.twitter.com/TJ84E25Myz
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 6, 2022
What is the salary of Bukayo Saka and net worth?
Bukayo Saka is a product of the Arsenal football club. He gained a promotion to the club’s senior team on July 1, 2019.
Based on his 4-year contract with Arsenal, Bukayo Saka reportedly earns £1,560,000. He reportedly earns £30,000-per-year. Saka’s net worth is said to be £2 million.
Saka who is 20-year-old does not have a wife. But he is currently dating a lady named Tolami Benson.
2 Comments