Arsenal Champions 2026: Saka Says 'It's Our Time' After 22-Year Wait
Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time since 2004. Saka and Rice reflected on the emotional title run.
Saka reflected on Arsenal's journey from a 'dark place' in 2020 to winning the Premier League in 2026, ending years of ridicule...
Bukayo Saka said Arsenal’s Premier League title win had answered the critics. The England winger reflected on the club’s path from a low point that led him to post an emotional message on social media in 2020.
The 24-year-old shared a post that read, “You deserve more Arsenal fans,” alongside a photo of himself looking dejected as a teenager on X. The post was made six years ago when Arsenal sat 15th in the league in December with only four wins.
Now that Arsenal have clinched the Premier League title after a 22-year gap, Saka said the victory has put an end to years of mockery aimed at the North London club.
“I was in a dark place,” Saka told former Arsenal striker Ian Wright on Sky Sports.
“Obviously, I know what you guys have done for the club and where this club has been in the past.
“At that very moment, we were very low and very far from the level I believe Arsenal should be. I know from school, from social media, the banter and what people say about Arsenal, how they laugh about us.
“At that moment, I just wanted to put it out in a post. That's what I felt at that moment. But it's done now. No more jokes, it's our time.”
Saka said lifting the trophy at Selhurst Park after a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the final match felt “surreal.”
“I just said to JT (Jurrien Timber), we are standing in our dreams,” Saka added.
Declan Rice said the viral moment when he told teammates, “It's not done,” after Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City became the turning point in their title push.
The England midfielder’s defiant message came after the defeat allowed rivals City to close the gap.
Arsenal responded by winning every remaining match, while Pep Guardiola’s City faltered and finished seven points behind Mikel Arteta’s side.
“I believed it, 100%, because I took a lot from that game. But it was also to comfort my teammates and calm everyone down because there were still five games to go,” Rice said.
“It wasn't like it was the last game of the season. After that, we started to be a bit freer in our game. There was a little bit less pressure on us... You could sense there was a bit of pressure with our performances.
“We were trying not to let any outside noise come in, but once that City game was over, we just said, 'There are five games, we can't throw it away'. It was a strong message, and it's paid off.”
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