Bukayo Saka: Arsenal star sets new England target after World Cup place secured

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·11 de noviembre de 2025

Bukayo Saka: Arsenal star sets new England target after World Cup place secured

Forward hopes Three Lions do not underestimate upcoming qualifiers

Bukayo Saka has vowed England will not “take our foot off the gas” this week, despite having already booked a spot at next year’s World Cup.

England qualified for next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico during last month’s international break.

It means Thursday’s game at home to Serbia and Sunday’s trip to Albania are essentially dead rubbers.

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Saka, however, insists Thomas Tuchel’s side do not see it that way and they are determined to continue their fine form.

“We’ve already qualified, but we don't want to take our foot off the gas,” the Arsenal winger told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It was a great feeling to put ourselves in that position that we’re going to be on a plane to America next year.

“I think also it’s even better the manner that we did it; six games, all wins, all clean sheets, so, yeah, we couldn’t have done it in a better way.

Bukayo Saka helped England get their World Cup qualification over the line in Latvia

The FA via Getty Images

“We feel the team is constantly growing together, better relationships, better performances, so, yeah, it’s all positive.

“I think it’s the cohesion we have with each other, the chemistry, the hunger.

“You can see it on the pitch and in the results as well that we’re getting, so we just want to keep building on that.”

Saka scored during the last international break, finding the net during a 3-0 win over Wales at Wembley Stadium.

“We don’t want to take our foot off the gas. The team is constantly growing.”

Bukayo Saka

It was the winger’s 13th goal for England and, in doing so he became Arsenal’s leading scorer for the Three Lions, taking the record off legendary forward Cliff Bastin.

Saka was pleased to overtake Bastin, who stopped playing for England in 1938, but it is trophies - and not records - that are fuelling him.

“I don’t really think too much of these records,” he said. “I feel like the trophies is more what I think about.

“But when I do take a step back and think about how much of a great achievement that is, obviously to be the top scorer for Arsenal for England, it’s amazing.

“All the players that we’ve had in the past, so I’m doing something well and I need to continue.

“But of course, at the same time there’s always room to improve and progress, which I’m looking to do.”