21-year wait ends: Saka challenges Arsenal teammates to end League draught

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has challenged his teammates to end the London club 21-year wait for a Premier League title, saying, “this is the year.”

Mikel Arteta’s side have finished second behind Manchester City for the past two seasons and have not lifted the trophy since Arsene Wenger’s ‘invincibles’ side of 2003-04.

However, they have built on their impressive form last season and are currently third in the table, level on points with second-placed City and a point behind leaders Liverpool after six games.

Speaking after their win against PSG in the Champions League, Saka called on his teammates to step up and face the challenge.

“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.”

As well as finishing second in the Premier League, Saka was also part of the England team that lost back-to-back European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.

The 23-year-old says that disappointment is fuelling his determination to win trophies this campaign. He added that Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League win against Paris St-Germain proof they can compete with the best teams.

“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 Paris St-Germain]. I did tell the boys we have to make a statement when big teams are coming to the Emirates.”

Saka has been Arsenal’s most consistent player over the last two season and he will be eager to continue his good form for club and country.