As Arsenal prepare for Sunday's crucial North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, homegrown hero Bukayo Saka has made an emotional revelation about the fierce winning mentality that has defined his career since childhood.
The Unbreakable Winning Mentality
In an intimate conversation with BBC Sport's Kelly Somers, the 24-year-old winger reflected on his earliest football memories, revealing an uncompromising attitude towards losing that began in his family garden. "I would never lose. I would not accept it," Saka declared, describing childhood matches against his brother and father. "I would cry, I would do anything, and that started young."
The Ealing-born maestro, who has been with Arsenal since he was just seven years old, has carried this same determination throughout his rise from Hale End academy prospect to one of Mikel Arteta's most vital players. Now regularly wearing the captain's armband, Saka's journey represents the dream of every Arsenal academy graduate.
From Greenford Celtic to Hale End
Saka's football origins trace back to local side Greenford Celtic, where his passion for the game first ignited. "I remember everything, from the kit to the games," he recalled with vivid clarity. "The kit was green stripes with white stripes – it had like a Celtic logo. We used to play in a local park, after the game – boots muddied completely and you'd have to slap them against the trees. Proper football."
His transition to Arsenal came through a traditional scouting process that his father managed. "I remember my dad telling me I got scouted because it was different... You got a scout card," Saka explained. His trial at Hale End proved immediately successful, moving from the B team to the A team after an impressive performance.
North London Derby Dreams
This Sunday's match represents everything Saka has worked towards since those early days. Having made his Arsenal debut approximately twelve months before Arteta's appointment, the winger has developed into one of England's top players under the Spanish manager's guidance across nearly six seasons.
Despite achieving remarkable success in the Premier League and European competitions, Saka remains fiercely loyal to the club that nurtured his talent. His humility and self-belief coexist perfectly, as he noted: "You can be humble and also believe that you're good as well. I think there's nothing wrong with both and they can both be together."
As Arsenal look to stretch their advantage at the top of the Premier League table, Saka embodies the club's identity and aspirations. His story from local parks to leading his boyhood club against their fiercest rivals represents the ultimate football fairy tale, one he hopes to continue writing with a derby victory this weekend.
