Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has confidently declared that “this is the year” the Gunners will finally end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who have finished second behind Manchester City in the past two seasons, haven’t lifted the trophy since Arsene Wenger’s ‘invincibles’ triumphed in the 2003-04 season.
Currently sitting third in the table, Arsenal are level on points with second-placed City and just one point behind leaders Liverpool after six games. Saka expressed his belief that this season will be different.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on us but I do think that this is the year [Arsenal win the title],” Saka told CBS Sports.
“I think we’ve been close the last two years and we’re getting closer, but this hopefully will be the year.”
In addition to his near misses in the Premier League, the 23-year-old was part of the England squad that lost consecutive European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.
He admits that these setbacks have fueled his determination to win silverware this season. Saka points to victories like Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League win over Paris St-Germain as evidence they can compete with the best teams in Europe.
“Previous years, I’ve come runners-up a lot. It’s just that spirit in me that I want to win this season and of course, I believe in myself a lot,” he told Amazon Prime.
“With those two things, it helps. We believe in ourselves, we believe we’re a top team. We showed that tonight [against PSG]. I did tell the boys we have to make a statement when big teams are coming to the Emirates.”
