New Bukayo Saka mural shows what the Arsenal star means to north London, writes ISAAN KHAN... still... (original) (raw)

As two painters apply the final touches to a new Bukayo Saka mural on a north London fried chicken shop, pedestrians stop and gaze.

Many get their phones out to take pictures, others point. Football fans or not, it is Saka who is synonymous within this Highbury and Islington community — and afar.

The racial abuse he, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho received on social media after missing penalties in England's shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final is still not forgotten around these parts.

Mail Sport revealed in August that the Arsenal man was the most targeted player for serious online abuse at Euro 2024.

Yet on the streets the winger, who assisted Arsenal's winner in their north London derby win over Tottenham on Sunday, is theirs, and the sheer goodwill towards him stretches beyond the adjacent high street shops and his childhood home in Greenford, west London.

A new Bukayo Saka mural on a north London fried chicken shop is shown off in Highbury and Islington

The Arsenal forward is the idol of many around the area, establishing himself as the Gunners' star man

The racial abuse that Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford suffered after the Euro 2020 final has not been forgotten

Work on the mural, sanctioned by Arsenal's official fabric care partner Persil, was started and completed last month, garnering much attention.

It's not the first time. A mural featuring Saka, Rashford and Sancho, straight after that Euros 2020 final, was unveiled in Manchester in support of the three stars.

Saka has also been heavily marketed in recent years, owing to his universal appeal. Such campaigns include the player creating his own Nando's sauce, dubbed 'Saka Sauce', in March, and in August 2021 New Balance launched a 'Little Chilli Brings Heat' mural with his image.

The connection he has forged with the public goes deeper than football. The 23-year-old scores numerous goals and wins matches, but it is more than just about his on-field displays.

Saka's old neighbours on Melrose Close say so. He was born in London to Nigerian parents, accountant mother Adenike and father Yomi, and played football outside with his older brother Abayomi.

One neighbour remarks: 'My nephew broke their family car window playing football! They were fine about it, they were a nice family.'

Hassan Chichan, a 19-year-old university student, lives in the four-bedroom semi-detached house Saka grew up in.

He says: 'As soon as we moved in (we were aware Saka has lived here). It's interesting that normal people from normal backgrounds can grow to become superstars.

'It gives hope that the average person can have a bright future if he does enough work.'

A mural featuring the three players was unveiled in Manchester after the final in support

Saka's rise in the game has provided inspiration to those who are from a 'normal background' like him

He impresses on the field, scoring goals and winning games, but his connection with his community is deeper

Neighbour Uber driver Mohammed Al-Khatib, 48, remembers the Sakas fondly.

'I feel very special, I think our house is worth more because of him,' he says. 'I knew his dad, he was a very good guy.'

The journey started aged eight at Arsenal's Hale End academy. Those around the club remark how he stood out even at such a tender age with a strong-willed mindset.

He was often the most physical on the pitch, always wanting to better his team-mates in strength or sprinting games.

And there was a drive to succeed, ingrained by his parents, which spilled into both playing football and education — Saka achieved four A*s and three As in his GCSEs.

Aged 15, he began training with the men's first team. His talent was clear, a pathway to one day playing at the Emirates the expectation.

He is said to be receptive to academy players training with the first team, like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, having come through the academy himself.

Saka is only 23, though has grown into a leader in the squad having racked up 174 appearances. He is smiley and humble, which can make the disciplinarian side of him a surprise to some.

It is his personal character which shines most strong. He is well liked by his Arsenal colleagues, and England ones, too.

Saka is still only 23 but has grown into a leader in the Arsenal squad having made 174 appearances for the club

Luke Shaw remarked during Euro 2020 that he would 'love it if he (Saka) was my child'

Defender Luke Shaw remarked during Euro 2020: 'I would just love it if he was my child. I love him like that.'

Shop managers and workers next to the mural on Holloway Road are similarly positive about the star.

His goals and exploits have often provided the spates of hope at the north London club during the dark times of consecutive eight-placed finishes and missing out on the Champions League year on year.

From Arsenal's 2018-19 squad, the season Mikel Arteta took over as manager from Unai Emery, only Saka and Gabriel Martinelli remain.

Joby Weston, 34, manager of the House of Hammerton pub, a 10-minute walk from the Emirates, says: 'I love it (the mural). I mean, everybody loves Saka, not just around here, everybody seems to loves him. He's a very popular guy and a great player.

'I was happy (to see the mural). He's a hero around here. He has been for ages, since he was young.'

On why people relate to Saka, he adds: 'There's lots of things like his style, he dresses like young guys in the area, he sounds like young guys in the area.

'He's Arsenal, and he's been from the academy and come through. And we don't have too many players who have come out of the academy in recent years and gone on to be as great as him. He ticks every box and watching him is just fun.'

Saka and Gabriel Martinelli (right) are the only two players that remain from the squad that Mikel Arteta took over

Renay Davis, 28, a worker at shopfitters D&A Binder, says: 'I don't know many footballers, but he is one of the main ones that I do know.

'During the Euros, I was cheering for him. I don't often watch football, but I loved watching him play.

'He is a huge role model for black kids. I would say when I think of Arsenal, I think of Saka.'

Max Ahmed, 35, a worker at Pepe's Peri Peri, has benefitted from the mural being on his shop.

'It's a good thing. A lot of people are taking pictures of it which then includes our sign in them, so it's good for business!' he says.

'Saka is Arsenal's best player. I reckon if Saka was to leave Arsenal tomorrow, Arsenal would crumble. He's the main man.

'He's proven himself time and again. It's not fair for, if he has a bad day, people to be racist to him. It's crazy, man.'

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Saka is 'a very likeable person and player across the country'

The feelings are strong. But it's only right for his boss to have the final word.

When asked about the mural and why Saka is liked by the London communities, Arteta replied: 'I think Bukayo is a very likable person and player — not only here but across the country and anybody in Europe or the world that knows him.

'You can sense that he is someone special. But I think Bukayo understands as an academy player. It's a reflection of how people feels about the club and the individuals, it's really good.'