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Bukayo Saka says Arsenal are fully committed to chasing Premier League and Champions League titles this season.
The Gunners have narrowly missed out on Premier League glory in recent years, finishing as runners-up behind Manchester City in the last two campaigns.
Currently third in the table, six points behind the leaders, Arsenal remain firmly in the title race as the festive period approaches.
After ending a six-year absence from the Champions League last season, Arsenal reached the quarter-finals and Saka is eager to take the team even further this season.
“We are not afraid,” Saka told BBC Sport.
“The last two seasons we have competed for the league and we have been very close. We are also back in the Champions League (we have some experience there now), so we feel like we are ready to compete for all the trophies.
“We really want to take the next step and try to win something.”
Reserving our place for the semi-finals 🎟️
Watch highlights from tonight’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace 📺 pic.twitter.com/U2gc84DuwB
—Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 19, 2024
Arsenal last won a major trophy in 2020, lifting the FA Cup.
Saka, who was part of that victorious team, has since suffered several failures, including finishing second in the Premier League twice and losing two European Championship finals.
Reflecting on those disappointments, Saka said: “It’s horrible, I’ll be honest. It’s just that extra fuel for me and extra motivation. I want to surpass the goal this season and try to lift the trophy, for sure.
“You work all season and you are very close: you literally have one hand on the trophy, you are in the final or you are there to win the Premier League or whatever trophy you are competing for.” – and then you don’t win it. It’s like the whole year’s work and there is nothing to show for it.
“I know you can be proud of the season and the evolution and development, but that’s why more than ever we want to take the next step and win.”
At just 23 years old, Saka has become indispensable for both Arsenal and the England team.
Despite being compared to legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, one of his childhood idols, Saka insists that external recognition is not his goal.
“I feel like I know what I want to accomplish in the game and people are always going to talk whether I do something or not,” he explained.
“Even if we win, people will still talk. So my mentality is just, ‘Do your thing and live your life,’ because people are going to talk anyway.”
