Bukayo Saka admits Arsenal’s title collapse ‘hurts’ but insists fans can be ‘excited for the future’

Bukayo Saka has admitted the collapse of Arsenal’s title challenge ‘hurts a lot’, but the star insists the side have time on their side in the pursuit of major honours.

The Gunners had led the title race heading into the run-up, but a dip in form allowed Manchester City to storm past in the final weeks of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side had an eight-point lead in March, but they were overtaken by eventual winners City.

City were crowned champions for the fifth time in six seasons on Sunday, following Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest the previous day.

The defeat meant Arsenal had earned just nine points from a tally of 24 in their last eight Premier League matches.

Manchester City capitalized on the collapse to secure a fifth Premier League title in six years

Saka admitted that the way Arsenal’s title fight ended “hurts”, but is optimistic for the future

Saka admitted that the nature of the collapse hurt a lotbut the Arsenal winger told Gunner’s legend Ian Wright that fans should still be optimistic about the future.

“Speaking of this season, it hurts a lot, it really hurts so much to even think about it,” Saka said.

“How we finished the season and what could have been, only one thing I can say, since the last two or three years I’ve been playing I’ve seen this team and the club grow. We’re going in the right direction.

“One thing is that the club, the fans, everyone around us can be excited that we are clearly moving in the right direction if you look at the last two or three years.

“I think when the dust settles and all the negative emotions are gone, I think everyone can look at us and be excited for the future.

“Time is on our side, you can look at our team, as if many players are young.

“We are hungry, many of us have not won at Arsenal, so we want to achieve great things. We want to win and we want to win here.’

Saka’s comments followed after the England star signed a new contract with Arsenal, with the winger committing his future to the club until 2027.

The Arsenal winger has committed his future to the club after signing a new contract until 2027

Saka has insisted that Arsenal fans should be optimistic that the team is heading in the right direction

His new contract is worth nearly £15 million a year, taking into account bonuses and other linked payments.

Saka is one of a group of young players that Arsenal have tried hard to tie down.

Winger Gabriel Martinelli, 21, and centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, 25, signed new contracts earlier this year and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, 25, announced his extension last week.

Talks continue over a new deal for French defender William Saliba, 22, whose absence through injury has hit the Gunners hard in the final weeks of the season.