Saka beats Kane to consecutive Player of the Year awards

Saka beats Kane to consecutive Player of the Year awards

Faruq Ibrahim 23:53 - 05.09.2023

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka continues to receive plaudits for his brilliant campaign in the previous season.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has beaten the likes of Harry Kane to win England's Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year. 

The 21-year-old star headed Arsenal's front line in their charge for the 2022/23 Premier League title. The England international forward's exploits made a lasting impression and earned him plaudits, despite the fact that they lost the race to Manchester City.

The winger also picked up the award for the previous year, taking his tally to two in total. This brings him level with Kane, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard, who all won it twice as well. He, however, remains behind the record holder, Wayne Rooney, who won it four times.

Saka’s 2022/23 campaign

The British-Nigerian winger had a superb individual performance the previous year, scoring and assisting as Arsenal pushed Pep Guardiola's team to the limit.

With 14 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League, Saka achieved a rare double-figure goal and assist total.

Bukayo Saka scored a stunner in Arsenal's first game of the season |Pulsesports.ng
Bukayo Saka scored a stunner in Arsenal's first game of the season |Credit: L'Equipe via The Sun/ @BukayoSaka87 on X

Only three players contributed more goals in the Premier League last year than the youthful winger: Harry Kane for Tottenham, Mohammed Salah for Liverpool, and Erling Haaland for Manchester City.

Bukayo Saka in action for Arsenal || Photo Credit: Imago
Bukayo Saka in action for Arsenal || Photo Credit: Imago

He was also integral to England's World Cup campaign in Qatar, as they reached the quarter-final of the competition. Saka scored three goals in the tournament.

More on Arsenal

Meanwhile, Joao Santo, the agent of Arsenal midfielder Jorginho, has ruled out a move away from Arsenal for the Italian amid reports linking him to the Turkish Super Lig. 

The 31-year-old joined Arsenal in the winter transfer window, seemingly as a stop-gap option with the injury to Thomas Partey. 

The Ghana international has since returned to fitness, and the Gunners have completed the signing of Declan Rice, who occupies similar positions on the field as Jorginho. This has hampered the former Napoli midfielder's game time, sparking reports of a move away.

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