‘I loved him’: Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka admits he was a huge fan of 33-year-old attacker who Arsene Wenger let go

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Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has told England Football that he loved Alexis Sanchez when he was growing up as a Gunners fan.

The youngster has now arrived on the big stage. He’s enjoying a fantastic campaign with Arsenal and on Monday he scored twice for England against Iran.

Saka was heartbroken at the Euro 2020 final. It was his penalty that saw Italy win the tournament and break the hearts of a nation.

Still, the talented forward is made of tough stuff. He’s bounced back from that setback with aplomb and is now a mainstay for Arsenal and England.

Saka took his two goals for England on Monday exceptionally well. Now, he will have the USA in his sights tomorrow night.

Ahead of that game, he’s been talking about his time growing up as an Arsenal fan. After naming the obvious, he picked a Gunners star that Arsene Wenger allowed to leave as a player he liked to watch.

Saka told England Football: “I used to love the older generation players like Thierry Henry. I loved Thierry.

“And because I was at Arsenal, I used to be able to go to games and at that time I loved Alexis Sanchez. He was one of my favourite players.”

Saka says he loved Sachez at Arsenal

The ex-Gunners forward cost Arsenal £35 million from Barcelona. He made 166 appearances for the club, scoring 80 goals and claiming 45 assists during his time at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s no surprise that Saka used to like Sanchez. He was keen to get involved in the play and register goals and assists much like the current Arsenal star does right now.

Sanchez risked the wrath of Arsenal fans. He decided to leave the club to join Manchester United and it’s fair to say that he wasn’t as good at Old Trafford as he had been in North London.

It’s hard to imagine Saka following Sanchez in that sense. He looks set for life at Arsenal and with a new contract in the offing, he could become to the Gunners what Harry Kane is to Tottenham.