Bukayo Saka says lessons from Arsenal's previous near-misses will be crucial - but vows not to solely focus on Premier League title race
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By Ben Grounds
Published 26/02/2026 at 17:30 GMT
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Bukayo Saka has urged his Arsenal team-mates to not become obsessed with the goal of winning a first Premier League title since 2004, claiming the club's progress in four competitions this season should spread their focus across multiple fronts. Saka, who was speaking exclusively to CNN Sports, highlighted the influence of Mikel Arteta on his development and the importance of family.
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Bukayo Saka is calling on his Arsenal team-mates to spread their focus across all four opportunities for silverware rather than concentrate too heavily on their pursuit of the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta's side are through to the Carabao Cup final, where they will face Manchester City at Wembley on March 22, and a first piece of silverware since 2020 could spark a glory trail for The Gunners.
Arsenal sit five points clear at the top of the league, although City have a game in hand, while they are also awaiting Friday's UEFA Champions League draw to discover their round of 16 opponents.
Next month, Arteta's team also face a challenge of a very different kind in the Emirates FA Cup, as League One Mansfield Town host them on March 7, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Speaking to CNN, Saka has stressed that while a first Premier League title since 2004 will be viewed as the be-all-and-end-all amongst some fans, he is not viewing it as a priority at the expense of any other trophy.
"It’s counterproductive to focus solely on [the Premier League]," Saka said when quizzed on whether the league is the only focus.
"You have to do what you can day-to-day because you can’t control the outcome. We’re in control so we’re just looking forward to that.
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"When you taste that victory, you just want to do it again and again and again."
City denied Arsenal first place during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 Premier League campaigns, while Liverpool were crowned champions last season.
"It’s not a nice thing," Saka reflected on his side's three successive runners-up places. "No one’s happy to go through them.
"What you learn is crucial and you just have to take it into the moment now which we’re in and try and do what we can to not have any miss next time."
The 24-year-old recently committed his long-term future to the club, signing a new deal that will see him stay at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2030.
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Saka joined the club's academy at the age of eight and has had several mentors during his time rising to the first team - where he sees Arteta as being a major influence on his growth.
"He’s been pivotal for me, crucial in my development," said Saka, who has played more minutes for Arsenal under the head coach than any other player.
"I’ve become a much better player under him. He’s trusted me a lot and I’m very grateful. When people ask me what I want in a coach it’s him.
"The club is going in the right direction, for sure. We have an amazing team and we’re back fighting for every trophy, so no place I’d rather be.
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"To be playing at the highest level, to be playing for Arsenal, this is everything I want."
Still, it has been a stop-start campaign for Saka, with Arteta having been very mindful of his minutes.
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The Spaniard has rarely played the winger more than twice in a week, with last summer's arrival of Noni Madueke seen as pivotal to enabling Arsenal's first-choice right-winger to recover in between matches.
With the World Cup on the horizon, it will be crucial that Saka is kept fresh, and his performance during last Sunday's North London victory at Tottenham demonstrated how devastating the player can be when he is allowed to reach his peak levels.
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Saka is proud of his roots and is grateful for his upbringing
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Saka is a role model to so many Londoners born to Nigerian parents and he credits them for shaping his down-to-earth character and quiet leadership that has seen him captain Arsenal on 14 occasions.
"Their journey is inspiring," he said.
"From being in Nigeria to being where we are today as a family… For me, the only explanation is God because it’s not normal.
"It’s like one in a million chance for me to stand here today. I wouldn’t be here without them."
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
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