After an explosive 2022-23 season, Arsenal striker Bukayo Saka was honored to receive the PFA Young Player of the Year 2023 award.
This morning, the British Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) held an award ceremony for outstanding individuals in 2023. Besides the main content of the typical team, the Best Young Player award also makes many fans excitedly waiting.
As expected, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka was named in the Best Young Player of 2023 category. The 21-year-old striker had been nominated twice before, but it was not until the third year that he received this award. He surpassed opponents Erling Haaland (Man City), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa), Evan Ferguson (Brighton) and Moises Caicedo (Chelsea).
Last season, Saka played explosively with 14 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League, helping Arsenal compete fiercely with Man City in the championship race and only losing in the final rounds. In the England shirt, the 21-year-old striker also played impressively with 7 goals and 3 assists, notably 3 goals and 1 assist at the 2022 World Cup, helping the Three Lions reach the quarter-finals.
This year, Bukayo Saka was awarded London Football’s Young Player of the Year, finishing third in the Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year award. He was also nominated for two titles: Premier League Best Player and Best Young Player of the season.
The PFA Young Player of the Year award has been awarded since 1974. Up to now, Arsenal has had 6 players receive this honor. They are Tony Adams (1987), Paul Merson (1989), Nicolas Anelka (1999), Cesc Fabregas (2008), Jack Wilshere (2011) and Bukayo Saka (2023). In the 10 years from 2012-2022, this award usually belongs to Tottenham and Man City.