Bukayo Saka was pictured sharing a heartwarming moment with two Arsenal fans ahead of the clash with Leicester City. The 21-year-old has played an integral role in the Gunners title charge this season, impressing game after game on the right-wing.
He's featured 24 times for Arsenal in the Premier League this term, directly contributing towards 17 goals. Despite being one of Europe's talented wingers, Saka still had time to spare for two young supporters patiently waiting in the corridor of the King Power Stadium.
The England international began by signing one fan's matchday programme. Saka then signed another supporter's Arsenal shirt before giving a high-five; as the Gunners star walked away, the fan then punched the air to celebrate Saka's act of kindness.
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One of the sacrifices which the winger has had to make in order to reach the level he has is to tolerate the number of fouls. From 40 fouls on Saka, just four yellow cards have been shown to opponents.
"There is a lot of focus now on Bukayo, and we need to keep that in mind as a team with the plans that we put together, understanding what the opponents are doing," Arteta said. "But for sure referees have their responsibilities and they have to do their jobs.
"If you ask him how it used to be when he was 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 - it isn't very different. Wingers and talented players get kicked and fouled and get the demand to win games and that is the chance he has, that is his role in the team.
"But we have to train that and he needs to learn when to take certain balls, what to do with that ball, how to use his body, when to jump. There are a lot of things we can train, but obviously it is very difficult to understand what the opponent is going to do.
"It is normal creative players want to be stopped and they (the opposition) want to restrict the ball getting into them, occupying and exploring certain spaces. What we have to try to do is completely the opposite."
Arsenal have triggered the option to extend Saka's contract by a year, football.london understands. His deal was set to expire in less than 18 months, but it will now run until the summer of 2024 instead.
The Gunners remained locked in talks with the Hale End graduate over a potential long-term extension. It's believed that talks are progressing positively — something which those two young fans will be delighted to hear!
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