English winger, Bukayo Saka has praised the impact of Arsenal supporters after their decisive win over Atletico Madrid sent the club into the UEFA Champions League final.
The Emirates crowd set the tone long before kick-off, greeting the team bus with banners and creating a charged atmosphere following the 1-1 first-leg draw in Spain.
Saka delivered the crucial moment just before half-time in the second leg, sealing a 2-1 aggregate win and booking a place in the final in Budapest on 30 May.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, the England winger said the backing from the stands made a lasting impression.
“It’s so beautiful. We’re all so happy. This was a high-pressure game, we managed it well to get to the final,” Saka said.
“It started before the game, I’ve never seen anything like it. They pushed us during the game. Let’s celebrate it together. There’s no way you’ll come to this situation and not have pressure. It’s a semi-final and we’re fighting for the Premier League. We block it out and focus on getting the job done.”
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry later revealed he held a private conversation with Saka during the winger’s recent injury setback and praised his determination to return. Saka had faced scrutiny during a disrupted season but has regained form in recent weeks.
“I would love to see if we can speak to Bukayo because I want him to explain to people that being a footballer is not so much always about the glamorous time,” Henry said on CBS Sports.
“He’s been questioned all season. Can he be the guy? Is he not the guy? Is he the star boy? Is he not the star boy? Is he better than him or not better than him? Today he had to play with barely training. I know he’s suffering with his Achilles tendon.
“He came back, I spoke to him and he came back and was like: ‘I’ve got to be on the pitch. I’ve got to be on the pitch against Fulham. I have to be. It’s do or die’.
“So you have to give those guys a lot of credit. Sometimes we take it for granted. We all played through injuries. We all played with moments where you’re not 100 per cent and he had to do it, deliver it for Arsenal.”
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