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Bukayo Saka declares he will not be pushed out of the Arsenal XI without a fight.
Alexandre Lacazette is due to return from injury and winger Nicolas Pepe is still finding his feet after his club-record £72m switch this past summer.
However, Saka, who has contributed three Premier League assists has stood out so far.
The winger scored his first senior goal in the 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in September which has seen him move ahead of fellow academy graduate Reiss Nelson in the pecking order.
Saka with first team coach Freddie Ljungberg
Saka became the youngest player to start a Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester United last month.
In a drab affair, he was one of few who impressed and looked comfortable on the biggest of stages.
He is now a regular in Unai Emery’s side and has issued a warning that he’s ready to stay put, despite the imminent return of last year’s Player of the Season Alexandre Lacazette.
“It’s always good to have all our best players available, all of us competing makes us push to play better and better,” Saka told football.london. “If one player is injured then others get an opportunity but I want everyone to come back and do the best for Arsenal.
“The boss knows what I can do, what the other players can do. Different games require different players but I feel like I’ve shown the boss he can trust me. Whatever game he puts me in I’ll always give it my all.”
Saka celebrates first goal for Arsenal against Frankfurt
Saka, a remarkably articulate youngster who scored straight As at GCSEs, says he’s learning day by day.
He added: “The boss has really trusted me and put a lot of faith in me. I just try to work hard in training every day, he has given me the opportunity to work in this team. I’ve learned so much from the other players and it’s showing on the pitch.
“Do I feel established in the first team? I don’t know yet, I just try to work hard, give my all and put in a good performance.
“Hopefully after I’ve put in that performance I can build on it. If the boss trusts me to play I’ll always do my best.”
