Saka: Repeatedly Missing the Title Sparks My Ambition; I Want to Welcome Ødegaard Back with a Top Spot

The Premier League summit clash sees Arsenal visiting Manchester City. In the absence of captain Martin Ødegaard due to injury, Saka has become the key factor in determining whether Arsenal can secure a victory. Before the match, Saka stated that repeatedly missing out on titles has instead ignited his ambition, and he hopes to welcome Ødegaard back with a top spot.

Five years ago this week, Saka scored his first goal for Arsenal, gradually becoming an indispensable member of the Gunners. Over these five years, Saka has experienced two losses with the England national team in the UEFA European Championship finals, and in the past two seasons, Saka and Arsenal fell short at the last moment in their title race against Manchester City.

Saka emphasized that he never attributes these defeats to luck but rather uses the moments of narrowly missing out on titles as motivation for progress. “In the past few years, I have grown a lot, and my improvement is across all aspects.”

This season, five out of Arsenal’s six goals are related to Saka, and he also hopes to use his performance to break the repeated disappointments of narrowly missing out on titles. “I live for football; I do everything possible to prepare for the next game. I strive to be the best player I can be to help the team. I am extremely eager for titles and hope to achieve what I failed to achieve before.”

Saka noted that these are the reasons why he wants to win against Manchester City. “In the past two seasons, we were the losers, which fuels my ambition.”

However, in the face-off against Manchester City, Arsenal will be without captain Martin Ødegaard, who is likely to be out for eight weeks. Saka hopes that when Ødegaard returns, Arsenal will be in the top spot. “He is a world-class player, and we will miss him, but now we must adapt to playing without him. We will find a way, and there will be players stepping up to fill his role until he returns.”