Bukayo Saka said Arsenal’s Premier League win had silenced doubters after the England winger reflected on the club’s journey from a «dark place» which prompted an emotional social media post in 2020.
The 24-year-old posted: «You deserve more Arsenal fans,» along with a photo of a then-teenage Saka looking forlorn X six years ago, when Arsenal finished 15th in the standings in December with just four wins.
Now, with the Premier League title in his pocket after a 22-year wait, Saka said years of ridicule aimed at the north London club have come to an end.
“I was in a dark place,” Saka told former Arsenal striker Ian Wright Air sports. «Obviously I know what you have done for the club and where this club has been in the past. At that time we were very low and very far from the level that I think Arsenal should be at. I know from school, from social media, from the jokes and from what people say about Arsenal, how they laugh at us.»
«At that moment I just wanted to put it in a message. That’s what I felt at the time. But now it’s done. No more jokes, it’s our time.» Saka said lifting the trophy at Selhurst Park after a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the last match felt like a ‘surreal’ moment.
“I just said to JT (Jurrien Timber): we stand in our dreams,” Saka added.
THE STRONG MESSAGE OF RICE
Declan Rice revealed the viral moment he told his team-mates: «It’s not done yet» after Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City proved to be the turning point in the title race.
The England international’s defiant message came after defeat allowed title rivals City to close the gap.
But Arsenal responded by winning every remaining match as Pep Guardiola’s City stumbled to finish seven points behind Mikel Arteta’s side.
«I believed it 100% because I got a lot out of that game. But it was also to comfort my teammates and calm everyone down because there were still five games to go,» Rice said.
«It wasn’t like it was the last game of the season. After that we started to be a bit freer in our game. There was a little less pressure on us… You could feel there was a bit of pressure with our performance. We tried not to let any outside noise in, but when that game against City was over we just said, ‘There are five games, we can’t throw this one away’. It was a powerful message and it paid off.»
Published on May 25, 2026
