06 September 2023 , 16:46
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Bukayo Saka insists he is planning for an even bigger year ahead.
Arsenal winger Saka, 22, was voted England’s Player of the Year for a second successive season while he was also crowned Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year. Saka scored seven goals in 10 appearances for England in the last 12 months while he scored 14 and created 11 more as he helped Arsenal finish second in the Premier League.
But Saka says he can get even better and, when asked whether he can improve upon those numbers, he said: “Yes, 100 per cent. I’m always looking to improve and progress each season. So, I’m definitely aiming for more this year.
“I think it’s about commitment, you know, commitment to being better so obviously, it requires me to do a lot of things in terms of listening, watching clips, training hard every day, putting in the extra work to try and keep progressing. I’ve got my head down, worked harder, and set myself some targets and goals to achieve and just went from there and strived to achieve them – each year, I try to keep progressing and getting better.”
Arsenal went close in last season’s title race and England have the Euros next summer and Saka has no doubt that he can go one better this time. He added on BBC Radio 5Live: “I think definitely year on year I’ve come close to achieving something big.
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“This year, we’re definitely closer as a team, Arsenal and England, so I’m looking forward to this year, it is an exciting year ahead.” After four league games this season, Arsenal have 10 points from a possible 12.
What have you made of Bukayo Saka's development as an England player? Have your say in the comments section
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick during the last international break (Getty Images)England's upcoming international break will see Gareth Southgate's team take on Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier and Scotland in a friendly. Saka has scored four qualifying goals to help the Three Lions post a 100 per cent record, including a maiden career hat-trick against North Macedonia.
Three more points against Ukraine would all but assure England of a place in the Euros. While technically a home fixture for Ukraine, the game is being played at a neutral venue in Poland following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“It's been a very long season, some positives and of course some negatives," Saka said after that 7-0 North Macedonia victory. "But it's the end of the season now and I don't think I could have ended it in a better way, so it's time to relax and have a good break.
“A perfect end to the season. We're really happy with the turnout and the way the fans supported us from minute one to the end.”