Arsenal wonderboy Saka to wear new number next season
Nigerian-born British and Arsenal let slip, Bukayo Saka will wear a new number next season as they launched their 2020/21 kit.
The Gunners’ new Adidas strips are available for sale on their website.
Saka will wear the number 7, while their new centre back, Saliba, will wear the number 4 – with Elneny agreeing to take the number 25 shirt.
And the personalisation option allowed fans to select “Saka 7” to be printed on the back.
The 18-year-old has worn the No77 shirt this season but the change reflects what a positive impact he has had on the North Londoners and the faith Mikel Arteta has in him.
Arsenal’s new home strip was leaked back in June and it split opinion online at the time.
Saka will wear the number 7, while our new centre back, Saliba, will wear the number 4 – with Elneny agreeing to take the number 25 shirt.
Sake will continue to wear number 77 for Sunday's game against Watford and the Heads Up FA Cup final. pic.twitter.com/zADYVrX61X
— ARSENAL (@tomgunner14) July 23, 2020
But fans were generally united in their positive reaction to Saka’s squad number change.
William Saliba – who will make his Arsenal debut next season after returning from his loan at Saint-Etienne – has also been handed the No4 shirt.
Mohamed Elneny was No4 before his loan spell at Besiktas last season but he is said to have accepted the No25 for 20/21.
One supporter on Twitter wrote: “Love Billy Saliba getting 4 and chuffed Saka gets 7, what a legendary number for us.”
Another added: “Yo Saka our new number 7. That’s huge.”
And Olayinka tweeted: “So happy for Saka getting the number 7 shirt…big future ahead of him….Go get it boy.”
Looks like Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s new number 7.
Saka had revealed he’s yet to decide on his international future, with the forward eligible to feature for Nigeria and England.
read also:Saka: Fear grips England over Nigeria’s plot to cap Arsenal youngster
Saka was born to Nigerian parents and has represented the youth teams of the Three Lions but has not featured for the senior side, which makes him still qualified to play for the Super Eagles.
The Winger has been in sensational form since breaking into the Gunners first team this season, scoring two goals and providing five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.