Bukayo Saka has developed into one of Arsenal’s leaders Carl Recine/Getty Images
Bukayo Saka seems different.
When he first burst onto the scene in 2018, Arsenal fans lauded him for his humble, almost schoolboy-like persona: he was their “Starboy”.
Now 25, he has enjoyed some of the best highs in football — as well as enduring some serious lows. He comes across as more confident in interviews, has developed into a leader at Arsenal, and seems more aware of his standing.
His on-pitch performances continue to draw comment for both Arsenal and England — both positive and critical — but off the field, he appears to be shedding that “Starboy” image.
Here, we look at how his outward-facing public persona has changed from those early days.
Breaking into the first team
Saka was 17 when he made his Arsenal debut in November 2018, and 19 when he made his first senior appearance for England in October 2020.
He was a shining light of the Hale End academy in what proved to be a difficult couple of seasons for the north London side and he instantly became a fan favourite. Then club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nicknamed him ‘Lil Chili’ and Arsenal fans labelled him ‘Starboy’.
‘Starboy’, the title of a song and album by Canadian artist The Weeknd (released in 2016), is a name shared by Nigerian artist Wizkid. It points to both Wizkid and Saka (who is also of Nigerian descent) reaching considerable heights and showing immense talent at a young age.
Saka made his Arsenal debut in 2018David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Beyond his talent, one thing about Saka that also stood out was his endearing personality. One example was shown in December 2022, during the World Cup in Qatar. Former England captain David Beckham is visiting their training base. A 21-year-old Saka appears and courteously asks: “Sorry to interrupt, can I have a picture with you?”
In July 2021, during the European Championship, England team-mate Luke Shaw gave an insight into why Saka was so likeable.
Shaw said: “I love him (Saka). I’d love it if he was my child or something, honestly. I love him like that. I feel like you could ask anyone in the squad and everyone would say what a good guy he is. I’ve gotten on so well with him. I’d love him to be my brother. He’s just so cool, so funny, and he makes everyone laugh.”
Facing down criticism and a growing self-assuredness
From the outside looking in, much of Saka’s personality appears the same, but there has been a change in some aspects, even before he became a Premier League champion in May this year.
Saka’s celebrations after goals point towards a more confident individual who is aware of the criticism that sometimes comes his way.
After scoring England’s equaliser in the eventual penalty-shootout victory over Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, Saka mimicked a talking mouth with his hand towards his ears while saying “Blah, blah, blah”. He posted a picture of himself performing that move with the same “Blah, blah, blah” caption on Instagram.
Saka celebrates scoring against Switzerland at Euro 2024Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Saka has often been a target for opposition fans. When he was substituted at Aston Villa during a 2-0 Arsenal win in August 2024, cameras caught the winger responding to taunting from the Villa fans by sarcastically nodding and then shushing the home crowd. After scoring the fifth in a 5-2 defeat of West Ham United three months later, Saka was seen laughing and shushing the London Stadium fans while in celebration.
His self-assured nature was also shown more recently in Saka’s goal celebration during the 1-0 victory over Villa in August this year. After scoring the game’s only goal, he slid on his knees, pointing to the golden Premier League badge on the sleeve of Arsenal’s shirt signifying their 2025-26 title win and saying: “This is our club! We’re champions! Our club.”
Becoming a Premier League champion
One obvious reason why Saka seems to be coming across as more assured is that he is finally a champion.
Saka has been on the losing side in all four major finals he has played (Euro 2020 and 2024, and the Carabao Cup and Champions League last season). He also experienced the heartbreak of Arsenal finishing second in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons.
After Arsenal’s title was confirmed in May, in an interview with TNT Sports, Saka was strong in his opinions of their doubters.
He said: “People are starting to go into hiding mode, but we are going to find them. We can freely say things now, but if we had said them before, they would have said that we (Arsenal) are crybabies. Things related to Arsenal are spoken about a lot more, more than necessarily needed. It’s made into a bigger thing. We saw everyone with their bottles. It is a bit of banter. If people are going to give it to us, we are going to give it back. We have earned the right. It is time to enjoy. It is our time.”
On the night Arsenal’s title was confirmed, Saka’s team-mate Jurrien Timber posted a video of the England international in front of an empty silhouette of a Premier League trophy at the club’s training ground.
In that Instagram video, Saka said: “Light that up! Let me tell you something, 22 years they were laughing, they were joking. They aren’t going to be laughing anymore. This is going to be shining, and shining bright!”
Winning brings a new attitude and confidence. After so many near misses, we may be seeing Saka indulge in that new mindset.
Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League
New contract and his standing at Arsenal
In February, Saka signed a new four-year deal with Arsenal. The Athletic reported that the contract would be at a financial level that recognises his standing as one of the leading players in the Premier League and across Europe.
Saka is one of the longest-serving members of manager Mikel Arteta’s squad, has made over 300 first-team appearances for the club and routinely wears the captain’s armband, memorably leading out the side at Wembley in last season’s Carabao Cup final.
In an interview with Men in Blazers in January, Saka was asked if, at this stage, he felt like an older or younger player.
“I wouldn’t say either,” he replied before saying that his on-pitch confidence and belief came from Arsenal great Thierry Henry.
“That is something that he (Henry) had in abundance,” Saka added. “He put fear in defenders without even touching the ball. I am trying to develop that.”
Saka is moving beyond the ‘Starboy’ image that fans fell in love with and becoming the star man they can rely on. And in terms of nicknames from his youth, speaking to The Athletic in 2025, Andrew McGarty, director of sports marketing for global football at New Balance, discussed Saka’s role in creating his new boots with the brand. “We had conversations with him, and he wanted us to move on from the Little Chilli thing,” he said.
The new contract, the number of games he has played, the experience he has acquired and being a leader in the team.
Maybe it is that Saka has always felt this responsibility to be a leader.
In May this year, he said: “There’s never been a shift (of mentality). From when I was younger in the academy, I’ve always put that responsibility on my shoulders. To make things happen for my team. Whether that is scoring, assisting, or dribbling. Whatever the team needs to win. That has always been my mindset.”
A younger Saka was extremely genial and won the hearts of Arsenal fans. But even then, the winger was tenacious, relentless and persistent.
The modern-day version of Saka retains all of those traits, but he is now battle-hardened. There is no senior figure in the mould of Aubameyang or Granit Xhaka for him to lean on anymore; Saka has become one of the leaders in this Arsenal team.
The ‘Starboy’ has now evolved into one of the faces of the Arsenal and England teams, and he is talking and behaving as such.
Source: www.nytimes.com
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