Bukayo Saka shared his delight at finally meeting Arsene Wenger following Arsenal’s Boxing Day win over West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.
A product of the club’s Hale End academy having joined at the age of 7, the England international had spoken of his regret about never meeting the legendary Gunners boss while away on World Cup duty earlier this month.
“One of my biggest regrets was that I haven’t met Arsene Wenger,” Saka told reporters in Doha.
“I know how much my dad loves him, how much everyone at the club loves him.”
Wenger, however, returned to the Emirates for the first time since his departure in 2018 as Mikel Arteta’s side came from behind to win on their return from the break.
Saka levelled the scores after Said Benrahma had put the visitors ahead before Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah completed the comeback to extend the leaders’ advantage over Manchester City to eight points.
Wenger now works as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development and was serenaded by the home support during a return kept secret from the squad.
After the game, Saka posted a photo on Twitter of the two, captioned: “And we finally meet.”
