Bukayo Saka has delivered a pointed message to Arsenal's doubters, claiming those who questioned the Gunners' mental strength are now retreating from public view following the club's first Premier League title in over two decades. The England winger vowed to "find" critics who dismissed the north London side as bottlers, insisting the squad has earned the right to respond after years of unfair scrutiny.
Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, Saka reflected on the constant narrative that plagued Mikel Arteta's side throughout their title-winning campaign. "We know what everyone says about us and the doubts we have, can we really do it? We've done it now, time to enjoy it," he said. "People are starting to go into hiding mode, but we're going to find them." The 24-year-old suggested that Arsenal faced disproportionate criticism compared to other elite clubs, with every setback amplified into a broader story about the team's character.
From 'Cry Babies' to Champions
Saka acknowledged the unfair treatment Arsenal endured during previous collapses, noting that speaking out about the bias only invited accusations of sensitivity. "Before if we said it, they'd say we're cry babies," he explained. "Things about Arsenal are spoken about much more than they necessarily need to be, and made into a bigger thing if we drop points or lose a game." He highlighted how social media culture fueled mockery, with online trolls brandishing bottle emojis each time the Gunners stumbled. Yet Saka insisted the squad had finally shed the "soft" reputation that haunted them through years of near-misses.
The winger's personal journey this season underscored the collective resilience required. Missing crucial weeks through injury, Saka battled constant physical limitations but returned with decisive contributions against Newcastle, Fulham, and Burnley. "The last few years, physically I haven't been at my best level and I paid the price with some of my performances," he admitted. "This was a very important year for us. I had to keep my spirit up, stay faithful and know that God was going to deliver for us in the end."
Champions League Glory Within Reach
With the Premier League crown secured after Manchester City drew at Bournemouth, Arsenal's historic season continues toward uncharted territory. The club now prepares for a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain—a competition the Gunners have never won. Saka believes the psychological shift from becoming champions will prove decisive in Europe. "Now we've done it, it's going to give us more confidence, more freedom, a flow going into that match," he said, acknowledging that winning the continental trophy would cement the most successful campaign in modern Arsenal history.
