'I can't put it into words' - Emotional Bukayo Saka reveals how Arsenal honour left him 'speechless' amid flying start to the season

With Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard ruled out through injury, England international Saka was asked to provide on-field leadership during a crucial Premier League clash with fellow title hopefuls Manchester City. He then led Arsenal out in a Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium.

Academy graduate Saka, who is just 23 years of age, has told CBS Sports of his reaction to being asked by Mikel Arteta to take on captaincy duties: “That's one of the things where I become speechless when people ask me. Everyone knows my journey, where I came from. To take the captain's armband, walk the lads out at the Emirates Stadium. I can't put it into words.”

Saka has proven himself deserving of such an honour, with 236 appearances taken in for Arsenal. He now fills their No.7 jersey and added on being a source of inspiration to fans – young and old – around the world: “When the new kits come out you see it across all of London. I'm always looking out to see if someone has my number on. It's always a nice feeling when you see a little kid or an older man wearing one of my shirts. I never take it for granted and if I can give them a bit of my time, a bit of love back to them, I'll try to do that too.”

Saka has registered three goals for the Gunners this season and will be back in domestic action on October 19 when taking in a trip to Bournemouth – with there two UEFA Nations League fixtures with England, against Greece and Finland, to occupy his thoughts prior to that.