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Bukayo Saka admits he ‘misses’ former Arsenal team-mates Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson but has backed them to ‘shine’ in the Premier League this season.
Saka saw his fellow Hale End academy graduates leave Arsenal over the summer, with Smith Rowe and Nelson joining Fulham and Nketiah moving to Crystal Palace.
While it ‘wasn’t easy to see them go’, Saka believes they have the quality to thrive in the Premier League at two of Arsenal’s London rivals.
Smith Rowe joined Fulham in a club-record deal worth £27m having made 80 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, the club he joined at the age of 10.
Nelson, who featured in 24 games for Arsenal last season, followed Smith Rowe to Craven Cottage on a season-long loan deal.
Nketiah, meanwhile, completed a £30m move to Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day after spending almost a decade at Arsenal and scoring 38 goals for the club.
Asked how it felt to see his former Hale End team-mates leave Arsenal, Saka said on the Men in Blazers podcast: ‘Yeah, I’m not going to lie, I’ve missed them a bit you know.
‘Since I came into the first-team they were kind of like my big brothers with the way they welcome me and stuff like that.
‘So yeah, it wasn’t easy to see them all go, but at the same time, I’m really happy for them because they’re three top, top players with so much quality and I’m sure they’re going to shine in the Premier League this year.’
While Saka was sad to see several close friends leave Arsenal over the summer, he was buoyed by the arrival of Chelsea and England winger Raheem Sterling.
Saka buoyed by Sterling signing
Sterling joined the Gunners on a season-long loan deal after being exiled by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and told to leave Stamford Bridge.
‘We’re happy to have him here,’ Saka said. ‘I know the quality he has, I’ve played with him for England and watched him for years.
‘I know Raz really well and hope he can bring his special qualities to the team and help him us win.’
Arsenal, who have finished second in the Premier League for the last two seasons, have made a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, taking 10 points from four games.
Mikel Arteta’s side begin their Champions League campaign on Thursday night against Atalanta before facing Premier League champions Manchester City at the weekend.
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