Bukayo Saka has been a revelation since graduating from the Hale End academy ahead of the 2019/2020 season. This has been highlighted by the fact that the youngster has been shortlisted in back-to-back years to win the Kopa Trophy award.
The Kopa Trophy has been organised by France football and is the youth version of the Ballon d'Or award. It was first handed out in 2018 when Kylian Mbappe was awarded with the honour.
After unfortunately missing out last year to Barcelona’s Pedri, Saka seems determined to be awarded the trophy this time around. The youngster has hit top form at the perfect time by scoring three goals in his last two matches.
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Firstly, Saka showed his qualities against Liverpool as he had 43 touches, 15 final third passes and scored two goals, which made him the match-winner after he scored a clutch penalty in the last 10 minutes of the match to give the Gunners a 3-2 lead.
He was exceptional, picking up two goals in a 3-2 result, showing that he can carry the team at such a young age – reminiscent of the 2018 Kopa Trophy winner, Kylian Mbappe.
Since winning the trophy, Mbappe has kicked on to be a world-beater and is already in the conversation as the world's best player just three years after being given the honour. This will provide great motivation for the Arsenal youngster if he comes out successful following the nomination.
To increase his propaganda, Saka also put himself on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s Europa League victory over FK Bodo/Glimt four days after the performance against Liverpool. The 21-year-old caused problems down the right-hand side and settled the Gunners' nerves by scoring the opening goal.
Saka’s excellent potential was clear from the moment that he graduated from the Hale End academy. However, the question posed at the time was whether he could turn his explosive pace and silky dribbling skills into goal conversions, and despite the doubts about this earlier in the season, he is already proving the critics wrong.
The youngster has recorded the second-most assists in the Premier League so far this season. Saka has assisted a teammate on four different occasions, and Kevin De Bruyne is the only player to provide more in the division by setting up nine goals, but the fact that Saka is the closest with the Belgian is impressive due to the Manchester City midfielder being considered as one of the best and most creative players in the division.
This is a testament to Saka’s excellent ability and the trust placed in him by Mikel Arteta. The youngster has had the responsibility to lead the Arsenal attack at times over the last few seasons, and he has responded by fulfilling the task, which should give him a big chance to win the Kopa Trophy award.
Saka will find out if he is awarded the prestigious trophy on Monday, October 17. The Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place in Paris and will begin 19:30 BST.
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