Jan van Loon, Arsenal's former head of coaching, vividly recalls the moment that reshaped Bukayo Saka's career. In late 2016, Saka was a standout talent in the under-15s, but Freddie Ljungberg, then taking his first steps in management, saw a player coasting on natural ability. During a one-on-one evaluation attended by Van Loon, a strength and conditioning coach, and Saka's father Yomi, Ljungberg delivered a blunt message.
'Bukayo was sitting there feeling pretty confident because he was scoring goals and things were seemingly going well,' Van Loon says. 'But Freddie said: "I'm actually not that satisfied, because you've got so much more in you. You need to take a good look at yourself. From now on, I want to see the real Bukayo. No more hiding in training or going through the motions. No, you're the first one out there on the pitch and the last to leave it. You're going to carry the team and take on a leadership role." '
Saka was taken aback by the criticism, but quickly understood Ljungberg's intent. 'He didn't expect criticism, that he needed to do much more. But he quickly realised that Freddie was doing it out of respect,' Van Loon recalls. 'Freddie said: "I'm going to help you with this, I'll support you, I believe in you." And very quickly it turned into something positive.'
The conversation left a lasting impression on Van Loon. 'You have to picture it like this: Bukayo was sitting at the table and his dad was in a chair a few metres behind him. We looked them both in the eyes and his dad had a big smile, like: "Finally, someone who's going to help my son get the most out of himself." Because he could see there was so much more in Bukayo.'
Ljungberg, a two-time Premier League winner with Arsenal and part of the Invincibles, later left for Wolfsburg in February 2017. Van Loon took over the team and saw a transformed Saka. 'I hardly had to do anything because Bukayo was doing it all,' Van Loon says. 'He was running the dressing room, organising the warm-up, making sure the intensity in training was right. If the work rate wasn't there, he'd say: "Coach, do you have a second?" He'd stop the session and tell the other players: "Right, now we're going to work … You need to press harder …" That's when Bukayo really took off.'
Within a year, Saka was playing for the under-23s under Ljungberg again, and made his first-team debut in November 2018 against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League. Aged 17, he came on for the final quarter with the number 87 on his back. His rise continued with his first England cap within two years, impressing assistant coach Chris Powell with his seamless transition. 'I remember how seamless it was for him to fit into training and into the level of play, which was impressive for someone so young,' Powell says.
Saka's journey hasn't been without adversity. He was one of three England players to miss a penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat by Italy, leading to racial abuse online. Powell consoled him on the pitch and worried about the backlash. 'I thought he might not come back from it,' Powell admits. But with support from Southgate and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Saka bounced back stronger. 'Not only did we get Bukayo back, but I think we got a better player back,' Powell says. 'Sometimes you go through very difficult moments, but those experiences can help you in the end.'
Saka's redemption came at Euro 2024, where he flawlessly scored a penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Switzerland. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who worked with England's attackers, helped Saka refine his penalty routine. 'He was asked and he wanted to take it,' Hasselbaink says. 'We practised it many times in training and he looked sharp, full of confidence.'
Looking ahead to Arsenal's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, Hasselbaink urges Saka to attack PSG's Nuno Mendes. 'With Mendes, the most important thing is to attack him, to keep him pinned back as much as possible,' he says. 'Mendes will want to get forward as much as he can. It should be a very interesting duel.' Hasselbaink is confident Saka will shine: 'In big matches, he always shows up.'
Van Loon reflects on the pivotal moment that set Saka on his path. 'It was as if everything just clicked right there, like the pieces of a puzzle falling into place,' he says. 'In that moment I felt something great is happening here. It was pure gold … Sometimes, in a player's career, you can trace things back to one moment where he realises: "I can't let the talent I've been given slip away. I have to put the work in now." Bukayo made that decision right there. He completely embraced that mindset, and he is still doing that today.'
