BUKAYO SAKA has revealed that his first trip to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium was actually in the away end with Newcastle because his dad loved Alan Shearer.

The 18-year-old academy graduate has been a rare bright spark for the Gunners this season, providing ten assists in all competitions.

The teenager was handed a Premier League start by former manager Unai Emery in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United back in September and has gave an insight into his journey to the top.

He told the club's website: “I was standing on the pitch at Old Trafford before the game.

“It was just my second-ever start in the Premier League – and it finally hit me: I'm in the Arsenal first team.

“I had been here 10 years earlier with my dad, sitting in the away end with the Newcastle fans. My dad has always been a big football fan, he supported Newcastle because he loved Alan Shearer.

"I hadn't been to many stadiums at all, so it was a big moment for me, as an eight-year-old, to go to a game. But now here I was as a player.

My dad has always been a big football fan, he supported Newcastle because he loved Alan Shearer

“Being down on the pitch, looking up at the fans in the stands, it really hit me. I realised what was starting to happen.

“I just enjoyed playing, but I don't think I ever really thought I was going to make it to the first team until I actually signed my first professional contract when I turned 17.

“You go through the youth teams, year by year, and you see all these great players around you – some of them could be the best in the year – and slowly they are all let go, to other clubs or even stopping completely.

“So you could never be sure that you would make it, but what I said to myself is that I would always give my best in every single session.

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