Bukayo Saka humorously had to clarify that his mother didn’t actually put him to bed before his European debut for Arsenal.
While he is now recognized as one of the top players in Europe, in 2018, he was a youthful teenager who may have jokingly suggested his need for bedtime assistance from his mom.
Following Arsenal’s 6-0 triumph over Lens, Saka was interviewed by Reshmin Chowdhury on TNT Sports. In November 2018, after making his European debut as a substitute in a Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava, he was previously interviewed by Chowdhury for BT Sport.
“I don’t know why I said that. It didn’t happen.” 🤦♂️
Bukayo Saka reacts to @ReshminTV reminding him of when he said his mum had to put him to bed the night before his #UCL debut 😅 pic.twitter.com/W1rKCduKKX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 29, 2023
During the recent interview on TNT Sports, Chowdhury playfully reminded Saka of the amusing exchange from five years ago. She said, “Bukayo, when you made that debut in Europe, I interviewed you afterward – you remember it, don’t you? Because your response was, ‘I was so excited, I found out last night and my mum had to put me to bed.'”
Saka denied, “I didn’t say that. I knew you were going to bring that up, I knew it!”
When questioned about the teasing he received from teammates and family after the initial interview, Saka responded, “To be fair, my friends and a lot of my family did as well. I don’t know why I even said that, if I’m being honest, because that didn’t happen. She sort of told me to go to bed, but she didn’t PUT me to bed – there’s a difference! But it’s a funny moment, to be fair.”
In the 6-0 victory over Lens, Saka scored a goal, contributing to Arsenal’s advancement to the last-16 of the Champions League.