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Saka Equals Fabregas’ 13-year Arsenal Record After Assist Against Everton ⭐

Saka Equals Fabregas’ 13-year Arsenal Record After Assist Against Everton ⭐

Bukayo Saka’s assist during Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Everton saw the teenager equal a club record held by former player Cesc Fabregas that has stood for 13-years, according to www.football.london.

Coming on as a first half substitute for the injured Sead Kolasinac, Saka took less than 10 minutes to make a mark on the match.

Also Read: Dessers Targets Super Eagles Call-Up

The Arsenal academy graduate whipped in a perfect cross, which was diverted into the net by Eddie Nketiah to make it 1-1.

With his match changing contribution, Saka equalled a club record which hasn’t been achieved by another player since 2006/07.

Fabregas was the last teenager to reach double figures for assists in a single season with Arsenal, and Saka has now achieved the same feat, moving onto 10 in all competitions.

Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta praised Saka’s cross for Nketiah’s goal but urged the winger to stay grounded.

“I’m never happy when something like that happens with Kola [Kolasinac],” Arteta told reporters.

“It was a great contribution offensively [from Saka] but he showed that there is a great margin for improvement and he has to keep his feet on the ground.”

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 23
  • Pompei 4 years ago

    Hmmm, na wa oooo. Looks like we’re gonna lose this guy to England. The English media is buzzing about him. Every where you go, it’s Saka. Southgate will be looking to cap the lad asap. If we had a chance, it is slim to none now. Unless NFF can pull a rabbit out of a hat!

    • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

      Hehehehehe….you don calm down…? LMAO

    • Chima E Samuels 4 years ago

      If we had glamoured for his invitation you guys will say he is too young. Whereas Brazil or most footballing nations will choose talent over age. We are loosing him like Alaba it’s simple as that!

  • Collins id 4 years ago

    I think we should do more in getting these good guys into the eagles if we must be sucessfull in qater. Saka is a nigerian likewise ebere eze why are we shy to bring them on. Somepeople pretends not to care claiming that our homebase players are better thats mare dreams. My question is if an english player is born in lagos as a pure white boy, furtunately happens to play like messi or ronaldo will England fold hands and let him play for Nigeria?Please for truthsake nationality has little to do with locations its more of who u are who ur parents are and where ur blood flows from that is nationality. Somebody was talking abt pention and alowance. Believe me of God take me to that level(premier league) i will not collect money from my national team rather i will contribute financially to its greatness. Money can never be everything no matter how Nigerians interprete it to be.

    • Mr Hush 4 years ago

      @Collins Id

      I do second your motion, I think we should get the best Nigerians ‘willing and ready’ to play for us. No matter where they are,as long as they are the best in that position and are willing to offer their services,we should go for them.

      But the fact is most of these foreign born Nigerians always pick these foreign teams over us for the some basic reasons that goes beyond money.
      It is just that they prefer a well run system over the ‘ African system’ were things as basic as traveling around the continent could be made hectic. It is a logistic nightmare in Africa and they fathom this into making their choice as well.
      There is also the small problem of ego and big dreams.
      These players fantasise of playing in bigger clubs;bigger competitions,winning personal and team titles and they feel they can never get all these playing for an African side.
      And the fact that they were raised there and have totally entrench into the community makes it harder to pick Nigeria over this foreign country.

      Yes.Nationality is in the blood but home is where the heart is.

      You find their heart.
      You find their home..

      • Ayphillydegreat 4 years ago

        It is absolutely a logistic nightmare in Africa and I wouldn’t blame any top talent who choose a western country over Nigeria due to the fact that their talent is there for the world to see. Especially a country like England where most of these lads grew up and learn the trade. Saka believes he’s a Nigerian, but he was born and raised in England. Hopefully he chooses Nigeria over England however, with the way he’s developing I don’t think England will want to lose such a talent. 

  • Chima E Samuels 4 years ago

    Here’s the secret we just need a proper scout who will unearth these players and commit them to Nigeria before they explode at the big stage for other countries to jostle with!

    • Amazing_Grace 4 years ago

      Yes, that is true. Besides a good scouting system there is the need to establish a good rapport with them first. A very respectable figure could be made to visit them, have a word with them on committing to Nigeria give them an assured benefits playing for the nation will accrue in the long term. All this should not be made public. You only go public when the paper work us true and they are ready to play for Nigeria the following week. Yes, we may not have the well organized system as some European counties, but Nigerians will never forget you. We will not remind you the colour of your skin when you stumble. Someone like Kanu, Carl Ikeme, John Fashanu and any in that mold should be made to form a crack scout team or “Ambassador “

  • Collins id 4 years ago

    @ Mr hush. U are right about the condition of africa. But it is not only africa. South america also have similar problems. I think most of these foreign born parents are to be blame for their children lack of passion for their origins. Representing Nigeria doesnt mean u are going to play for eyimba or kano pillers. It simply means flying ur national colour in an entertainment battle, it means putting a once in a while smile in the mind of over 70 milion poor people, it means been a part of history as africa his yet to bring a worldcup trophy to her continent. It is not about NFF its about Nigerians its about Africa. Salah mane mahrez aubamiyang nicolas pepe are the big boys in same prenier league yet they all represents africa. It is also better for to represent a population that fully supports you than represent a European nation that most of the fans doesnt like to see you ahead of their real nationals. I think those officials that are involved in inviting them should do more in moraly reminding them who they are and why they should represent us as a people not realy about money or our condition. We the fans doesnt share in the money we only share in the Glory and that is my interest.

    • Mr Hush 4 years ago

      @ Collins Id

      I totally agree with you with all the reasons one should chose playing for Nigeria.
      I could easily sell Nigeria to anybody(no matter how bad it is);trust me ,I do that every single moment I have the chance to.
      The Super Eagles is big in term of football.
      And the records are there for all to see. For one,it would be easier for Nigeria to win a title than England,who hasn’t won anything since 1966. And you sure to be at the world cup.

      I also agree with you that the parents of these foreign born Nigerians aren’t really helpful. They never gave the children the feeling that Nigeria is always home no matter where they live. But I am not to judge on that basis, cause every family have their personal issues as it relates to attachment with Nigeria. For instance, Dele Ali’s Nigerian dad actually abandoned him when he was kid;in that scenario, you know how he is going to feel inside. Sometimes Nigeria abandons you to the extent you lose that passion to be called a Nigerian.there is always thin line between love and hate.

      And although the South American countries have similar problems with Africa, they fair better in terms logistics and infrastructure. I know for certain( by personal experience), Uruguay,Chile,Argentina, Peru and Ecuador have comparable infrastructure and standard of living to those in Europe.
      Not forgetting most of South American have European roots, so it is quite easy to blend in and have the “supposed respect” given by Europeans that are limited to Africans.

      I would also agree with you that our officials need to do a better job in convincing these foreign born Nigerians to make us their choice but for that you need a good PRO that is good in such;the NBBF is doing great in this department. They got good international scouting team and a good human resource/ PR department that knows their onions. But what do we have in the NFF, no one with the right pedigree. The Fa Chairman goes around doing a PR’s job and bad at it .

      One can only wish this players listen to the Nigeria fans, it can only come good.

      But it is all good.

      I guess we can only wish and hope they always makes Nigeria their choice.

  • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

    People should stop comparing Saka’s case with that of Alaba. The two are poles apart. Alaba travelled to Nigeria himself to audition for the national U17 circa Korea 2007, our coaches threw him away because he wasnt ready to do ‘normal’ and rather went for old men masquerading as boys whose agents were ready to ‘drop’….the excuse we always hear from our U17 coaches is that the foreign boys arent strong enough. Of course they cant be strong enough. Biologically speaking, all things equal, a 16yr old cannot have the strength of a 30 year old.

    You will only need to fast forward 5-7 years latter and the same ones who ‘werent strong enough’ would be playing in big leagues while the ones who ‘were strong enough’ would either be in 3rd divisions, obscure leagues or nearing retirement.

    Saka has been in the news since he was 15 years. Together with the likes of Xavier Amaechi, Author Nwankwo, Tolaji Bola, Olayinka etc….they’ve all been progressing through the ranks at arsenal’s academy. But not once have our selectors looked in the direction of these guys. Same way Tammy Abraham, Dominic Solanke, Fautino Anjorin, Ike Ugo, Tariq Uwakwe have been making waves in Chelsea Academy. But we wont go for them when they are still under the radar, it is when they’ve hit the limelight we will start running helter skelter going to beg them in their parlours and taking selfies with them. We wait till when they have played for England U17s, U18s, U19s and are even starring in the first teams of their clubs before we start lusting after them.

    Forget all that “I am a Nigerian” gimmick they always pull when tongues start wagging….its only a bait….their true intentions lie in the “I want to concentrate on my club career for now”. How many of them has ever told the 3 lions they are concentrating on club career after being invited…? Ebere Eze would rather go and sit on U21 bench than star fro the Super eagles. Even his clubmate Osayi that was singing “my blood is green” songs only about 2 months ago has started changing tunes after a run of consistent first team action and a couple of goals. He too knows he is now in the shop window for england selectors, hence his sudden “I want to concentrate on my club football now” tune change.

    I said it before and will say it again….If we ignore these boys while they are still unknown and dont seize our opportunities at those times, we might as well wait till these guys are above 22 and have still not been cap-tied at senior level by England before we can have any realistic chance of having them play for us. Its easier if they havent played for England at youth level before, but looking at how long an international switch takes and the fact that England too will not close their eyes and watch their investments fly away from them just like that, we might just be chasing shadows chasing boys who have already hit the limelight.

    Abi who no sabi beta thing…???

    • According to Dr Drey: “we might as well wait till these guys are above 22 and have still not been cap-tied at senior level by England before we can have any realistic chance of having them play for us.”

      And that, my friend, summarises the whole matter.

      The likes of Nathan Oforboh and Tom Dele-Bashiru are already Nigeria junior internationals. They are reasonably familiar with our systems (and by all accounts) comfortable with them.

      If we want to capture players like Saka, it will be a good idea to monitor them whilst they are still academy players and then put them through our highly developed and hugely successful age grade systems.

      Failing that – like Dr Drey said – we wait until it starts to become apparent that their international future lay outside their country of birth before we try to lure them (unless of course the players themselves openly show desire and willingness to represent Nigeria at senior levels).

      Like Dr Drey said, ‘who no like better thing?’

      Saka is already an England youth International who is getting rave reviews for senior level football performances in the English Premer League.

      The optics of the whole matter currently tilts towards Saka playing for England.

      But if the limelight of the British media shifts away from Saka and other options open up to them, then maybe we will be in business.

      The British media can be very freckle. The minute Saka stops producing superstar performances, they shift their attention elsewhere (which could then work in our favour).

      But for now, let’s just continue to enjoy watching the boy do his thing from the lenses of a player of Nigerian ancestry.

      Who knows, the pendulum might (in the future) swing in the favour of the young man playing for Nigeria in the long run.

      • Correction : **English media can be very fickle**

      • Chima E Samuels 4 years ago

        True submission Deo and to make matters worse after capping them England will drop them at the least of one bad performance.

      • Pompei 4 years ago

        Exactly, Deo. Although it’s looking likely that England will land Saka at the moment, that does not mean the NFF should activate SIDDON LOOK MODE. They should intensify their efforts to get the young lad. As you said, the pendulum might yet swing in our favor.
        I do agree with Dr. Drey that our habit of running after players after they have hit the limelight is not ideal. It’s a MONKEY DEY WORK, BABOON DEY CHOP situation. England do all the work of discovering and nurturing the talent, then we want to gate crash the party when food don ready. Even the players know it, and are likely to feel more inclined to be loyal to their English benefactors. We need to show interest in these boys when they are still coming up. That makes it easier for us to approach them when they become big.

    • Drey i totally agree with you, and that’s been my grouse with manu garba & Aigbogun and amakpakabo..manu & Aigbogun especially passed up the chance to cap these exiting young talents during the last U17/U20 WYC Which would have made our work easier with some of these guys in the future because money refused to change hands.

  • Ololo 4 years ago

    I wonder those who condemn the parents of these boys for not enculcating the Nigerian spirit in them.. Most people who go abroad to start up a new life are those who got frustrated with the Nigerian system we have here and many of us would jump at the opportunity leaving this courtry in search of a better life..
    When these people go there, they tell their children how miserable this country is,, so why should we expect them not to fall in love with England and other European countries. If you were saka or ebere would you leave the English team for Nigeria

  • Ololo 4 years ago

    There is something special in our genes.. All over the world you see young Nigerians playing good football. What does this mean,,, give them the right facilities, proper football education ,adequate motivation, our local boys would start doing wonders..
    If the few Nigerians out there can start producing footballers for our team, then what is wrong with us Here in Nigeria.. Are we not also Nigerians? England deserves saka, they helped his career, if his parents didn’t travel to England, no one would know him like we do now..

    • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

      Eish Ololo….May God bless you in abundance. You have scattered my dada (even though Im bald half-way already) with this comment.

      See Nigerian born players raised in diaspora, but with Nigerian flesh and blood lighting up the soccer pitches all over the place. See Nigerian athletes with Nigerian flesh and blood burning up the tracks and courts of other countries. See Nigerian professionals doing amazing things outside the country. It only shows that we have it in us. We only need the right environment to thrive. That’s all.

      See you are right to a large extent, I am most times compelled to hype Nigeria out of patriotic zeal, but deep down in me, my heart bleeds at what a graveyard of potentials that country has been turned into. Only the ‘katikati’ that we read here on CSN of our sports administrators alone can churn your stomach for days.

      For my children, choosing Nigeria over any country will be at their own discretion. Just as my own parents made me a full blooded Nigerian, I’ve tried passing it on with the young ones, but a whole lot of decision making will still lie in their hands when the time arrives. No one should lay blames on the parents of these kids, they can only try their best.

      When I think through Nigeria’s matter, my blood pressure rises. I want to live long biko.

  • GLORY 4 years ago

    It sometimes baffles me how quickly we forget things. Is that real or just a pretence?. I think the debate here is been coughing out Manu Garba Manu Garba Manu Garba since yesterday n till every tomorrow.. God help Nigeria.

  • Mercy 4 years ago

    Alot of things has changed from our time. Growing up, whatever your parents says is the final. You dare not question their authority. We are like a sheep led by the shepherd. But today it completely different, I brought my niece down to US and before I can say Jack robinson she will respectfully tell me, she have a mind of her own. I can’t make any decision concerning her outside her consent. Mind you this is just a 11yrs old girl. Bros the parents are not blame. These children read stuff on the internet. They know Nigeria is a shit hole country. No wonder we can employ an assistant coach with no coaching certificate and you want to convince these children to play for us? Nigeria will first need to go take care of her business before we can woo these talented foreign born players to play for us.

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