On May 15th, news came from Hupu that Arsenal winger Saka recently accepted an in-depth interview with a podcast called "Beast Mode On". He talked about his own growth process, his relationship with Arteta, his desire for the championship, and shared many precious moments in his career.
Host: Okay. Look at your debut – the Europa League.
I remember my debut. I remember.
Host, mine is in the EFL Cup category, and your first performance was the Europa League. What memories do you have of that game?
That night, in my memory, it was extremely cold, man. We were playing an away game, and the temperature was about several degrees below zero.
Host: We're a little tropical, man, so you know that chill.
Hey, you're crazy, man. Yes, that cold affects us more. you are right.
Host: Have you ever learned that kind of rock performance in school?
Yeah, we didn't learn that back then.
At that time, I clearly remember having a bottle of water and several mints. I had experienced some of these situations. My inner desire to play was extremely strong and I kept praying to the coach to give me the chance to play. Of course, if the team was leading at the time, he would be more comfortable letting young players play, and that was exactly what happened at the time. I came on as a substitute, so I felt an incredible sense of freedom and enjoyed everything the game had to offer.
Host: Your Premier League debut was against Fulham. Were you nervous at that time? Excited?
Compared to the Europa League, because for me the Premier League is the pinnacle.
Host: So is there any emotional difference between the two games?
I felt like there wasn't a huge difference in emotion, of course, it was all a mix of nerves and excitement, and I was eager to get out there and make my Premier League debut again, and I remember it was actually New Year's Day, so I was thinking what a great way to start the new year, to make my debut in the league that I'd grown up watching, so it was more of an excitement.
The host asked a question, asking what was the first difference you noticed when switching from youth football to first-team football?
I think it's the subtle details, like you can clearly distinguish those players with rich experience, the details of what they do, and the form of their movements. Then you continue to learn and absorb. I was lucky because when I got into the first team I played countless games. I think it's extremely important for young players to be able to keep playing because that's how you really learn. You will make mistakes, gain experience, and grow step by step.
The host said that in a team, people are often keen to put various labels on them, especially for young people. From the beginning, the so-called "talent with potential" turns into "the person who carries the crown". So, when did you experience this different transformation or sense of responsibility, that is, the feeling of "I have to carry this on my shoulders"?
For me, this has never really happened. Ever since I was a kid in the youth academy, I have always carried that sense of responsibility on my shoulders on the court, to create something for my team, whether it is an assist, a goal, a dribble, as long as The goal is to help the team win the game. This is the mentality that has been deeply rooted in my heart since I was in the youth training camp. After entering the first team, I knew that I was still a young player and there were brothers with more seniority than me around me. But my mentality has never changed, and it remains the same today.
Host: The championship competition in the 2022-23 season was so close, but we missed it again. What did you learn from it?
Yes, it is. It hurt a lot at first. But you must bounce back. I believe that the most precious things don't come easily – you have to work for them and fight for them. When your time comes, it will appear. This is my belief. That was not our opportunity, but our opportunity is coming.