Ghanaian teenager Bukayo Saka has expressed his happiness to have made his debut for Arsenal in their 4-1 thumping of Fulham in the English Premier League on Tuesday.
Saka, 17, who marked his full debut for the Gunners in their 1-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League last month came off the substitutes bench to replace Nigerian winger Alex Iwobi on his Premier League debut with seven minutes remaining, becoming the first player born in 2001 to make an appearance in the top flight.
Granit Xhaka put the Gunners in front with a close-range strike in the 55th minute before Alexandre Lacazette made it 2-0 ten minutes after the break.
Fulham threatened to leave the Emirates with a point after substitute Aboubakar Kamara halved the deficit but Aaron Ramsey's 79th-minute strike put the game beyond the Cottagers.
Arsenal sealed the victory just seconds after Saka’s introduction via Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s deflected shot.
“Right now I’m feeling so happy, “Bukayo told Arsenal.com
“I feel blessed to have made my debut and get minutes on the pitch. I just want to thank my family, my friends and everyone at the club who’s helped me to get to this stage.”
“It’s been a tough stage, a long stage, but through hard work and determination I managed to get here.”
“I’m not stopping now. I’m very hungry. I just want to work hard with every chance I get.”
“In training, I just want to impress the coach so I can get back on the pitch.”
He had previously made two appearances in the Europa League late last year for the London-based side.
Belgian-born Ghanaian defender Dennis Odoi played full throttle while Dutch-born Timothy Fosu-Mensah emerged from the bench in the 56th minute for the losers.
Meanwhile, Edward Nketia warmed the bench for the Gunners.
Saka was born to Ghanaian parents in England and has represented England at various youth levels.