After a phenomenal 2022-23 season, Arsenal’s striker Bukayo Saka was thrilled to be recognized with the PFA Young Player of the Year 2023 award. The British Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) organized an award ceremony this morning to acknowledge outstanding individuals in 2023, including the highly anticipated Best Young Player category.

As anticipated, Bukayo Saka of Arsenal was crowned the Best Young Player of 2023. Despite being nominated twice before, it was in his third year of nomination that he finally secured this prestigious accolade. Saka triumphed over strong contenders such as Erling Haaland from Manchester City, Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, Evan Ferguson from Brighton, and Moises Caicedo from Chelsea.

In the previous season, Saka showcased explosive performances, tallying an impressive 14 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League. His contributions played a significant role in Arsenal’s fierce competition with Manchester City for the title race, narrowly missing out in the final rounds. Wearing the England national team jersey, the 21-year-old striker continued to impress with 7 goals and 3 assists, including a notable performance at the 2022 World Cup, where he scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist, propelling the Three Lions to the quarter-finals.

This year, Bukayo Saka was also honored with the London Football’s Young Player of the Year award and secured a third-place finish in the Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year award. Furthermore, he was nominated for two additional titles: Premier League Best Player and Best Young Player of the season.

The PFA Young Player of the Year award has been a prestigious recognition since its inception in 1974. Arsenal, to date, boasts six players who have received this esteemed honor: Tony Adams (1987), Paul Merson (1989), Nicolas Anelka (1999), Cesc Fabregas (2008), Jack Wilshere (2011), and now Bukayo Saka (2023). Notably, in the past ten years from 2012 to 2022, Tottenham and Manchester City have frequently dominated this award.