August 29, (THEWILL) – Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka, has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Young Player of the Year for the 2022/2023 season.
The 21-year-old saw off competition from club teammate Gabriel Martinelli as well as Erling Haaland, Jacob Ramsey, Evan Ferguson and Moises Caicedo to claim the award. This was Saka’s fourth nomination for the accolade and his impressive performances over the last campaign ensured he could not be overlooked this time.
He scored 15 goals across all competitions and provided 11 assists as Arsenal secured a return to the UEFA Champions League after a five-year absence. The England international was a pivotal figure in Arsenal’s season, playing every minute of their 38 English Premier League matches. He starred at the World Cup in Qatar too, scoring three times as England reached the quarter-finals.
Saka’s accomplishments were rewarded with a new long-term contract at the Emirates. He had already claimed Arsenal’s own Young Player of the Year prize and finished third in the Football Writers’ Association award voting. This latest recognition from his fellow professionals caps off an excellent individual season.
The award was presented to Saka by former Arsenal graduate, Jack Wilshere, a previous winner back in 2010/2011. Saka is the sixth Gunners player to claim the accolade and the first since Wilshere over a decade ago.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
