Charles Sagoe Jr on Bukayo Saka, Arteta's standards and his next career steps

Goal reports Arsenal youngster Charles Sagoe Jr described working with Bukayo Saka as "a joke", saying what fans see on TV reflects how Saka applies himself in training, and added that Mikel Arteta "demands a lot of high standards" from players around the first team.

Sagoe Jr joined Arsenal aged 12 after a spell at Fulham and progressed through the Hale End academy to make his full debut in a 2023 Carabao Cup win at Brentford, a memory he said he is "forever grateful" for. Now on his second professional contract with 18 months remaining, he has had loan spells at Swansea City and Shrewsbury Town before returning to make an impact for the Under-21s, registering five goals and five assists in 12 appearances and earning a Premier League 2 Player of the Month nomination for August.

With the January transfer window open, Sagoe Jr said he will "speak to people" about the best move, describing past loans as learning curves and noting the value of senior men’s football for building confidence. He has also been called up by Liberia for the October international break but has kept his options open, and he continues to train regularly with the first team — having been in the matchday squad for the Champions League tie against Slavia Prague — while Arsenal pursue multiple trophies this season.

Key Topics

Sports, Charles Sagoe Jr, Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Swansea City