Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was reportedly unhappy after the departures of Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson this summer.
The winger became the first Arsenal player to provide an assist in each of the first four games of the Premier League season. His corner assisted Gabriel who scored the only goal in the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Spurs in the North London derby.
Bukayo Saka says he will miss his old academy teammates
Saka, Nketiah, Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson all came through the academy at Arsenal. They all successfully made the first team.
This summer, three of them left the club. Nketiah joined Crystal Palace on a permanent deal, Smith Rowe also joined Fulham. Reiss Nelson also headed to Craven Cottage on a loan deal.
Saka says the departure of all three made him feel a bit uneasy this summer:
“Yeah, I’m not going to lie, I’ve missed them a bit you know,” he said in an interview with the Men in Blazers podcast.
“Since I came into the first-team they were kind of like my big brothers with the way they welcome me and stuff like that.
“So yeah, it wasn’t easy to see them all go, but at the same time, I’m really happy for them because they’re three top, top players with so much quality and I’m sure they’re going to shine in the Premier League this year.”
Nketiah scored his first goal for Palace in their EFL game against QPR last night. Emile Smith Rowe has also had a bright start to his Fulham career; scoring one goal and providing one assist in the league so far. Fulham boss Marco Silva has hinted that Reiss Nelson will play a big part this season – the forward also scored in the EFL cup game against Preston.
Mikel Arteta had no problems with the departures
The Arsenal boss was okay with the trio leaving the club this summer. Arteta revealed he was sad when Smith Rowe decided to leave the club:
“When I had the talk with Emile, I really felt it,” the Gunners boss said. “First of all because I have huge gratitude because he came into the team at a tough moment. I think he was the player that made our supporters and the team click, in a way.
“I don’t know how to explain it but that was my feeling. Something changed when he came in the team. He created a different energy straight away. And I have a feeling like ‘argh’, that I have not got the best out of him. Obviously a lot of things happened in that time.
“From my side it was really sad, because I know how those boys feel when they are in that building, how hard everyone works to get them close to the first team, so I feel a huge responsibility to give them the chance. And now, can they sustain this level and make us better? That is the idea.”
