In less than three years, England international Bukayo Saka has gone from a promising young prospect to one of Arsenal’s standout performers.
Saka made his last appearance for Arsenal’s Under-23s in August 2019, starting in a 2-2 draw against Everton in the Premier League 2.
We’ve taken a look at the Arsenal Xl from that game to see how they’ve all fared since.
GK: Karl Hein
Despite being a boyhood Manchester United fan, Hein rejected the Red Devils and joined Arsenal from FC Nomme United in the summer of 2018.
“I went to every club to show myself. I was at United for three days, in other clubs for a little longer,” Hein told the Estonian FA in 2020.
“The first impression might have been deceptive, but it seemed to me that discipline and the organisational side, as well as other details, were at a higher level at Arsenal.
“In Manchester, for example, the transport was always late, which is why I was late for training. The reception at Arsenal was very friendly and the club left a very good impression, because, let’s be honest, there was no difference in terms of level because both Arsenal and United are among the top in the world.”
Bar a few Europa League bench-sitting duties, he has spent most of his time with the Under-23s and is currently behind Aaron Ramsdale and Matt Turner in the pecking order. Last season he spent the latter half of the season out on loan at Reading and made his long-awaited Gunners debut in the League Cup defeat to Brighton last month.
The 20-year-old is already a full Estonia international with 16 caps to his name after making his debut in the UEFA Nations League game against Georgia in September 2020. The new Mart Poom, as we like to call him.
READ: Mart Poom: Man Utd wanted me, but I loved Derby; Arsenal move an ‘honour’
RB: Zak Swanson (Joseph Olowu, ’71)
Swanson joined Arsenal at the age of six and progressed through the ranks before establishing himself as a key player for the Under-23s in 2019-20.
The right-back subsequently went out on loan to Dutch side MVV Maastricht. After making his debut in a 7-1 defeat against SC Cambuur, he made just two more appearances for the club and was recalled by Arsenal in December 2020. He never made a first-team appearance and joined Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee in the summer.
Olowu, meanwhile, is currently turning out in League Two with Doncaster Rovers.
CB: Rob Holding
Having suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his…
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