"He will add pace, power and creativity, with the aim of bringing more goals to our team," the Basque boss declared. "A top-class winger has been one of our key objectives." Nicolas Pepe cost Arsenal a club-record £72 million, but the club believed Lille's 24-year-old would guide them back into the top four and beyond. As it turned out, he'd score just 16 times in the Premier League during three seasons with the Gunners - £4.5m per goal.
The player Emery needed had been on the club's books for 11 years, having moved from Watford when he was only seven. Six weeks after Pepe's arrival, the record transfer was rested to the bench for Arsenal's first Europa League fixture of the season, at Eintracht Frankfurt. Into the team came 18-year-old Bukayo Saka.
The result? A first senior goal, curled sweetly into the bottom corner from outside the box, and two assists in a 3-0 away win. This time, Emery had seen the future. Arsenal's Starboy was here - and it wasn't Nicolas Pepe.
EMERY'S ROADRUNNER
Religion is a thorny subject, as anyone who's spent more than 10 minutes at a suburban dinner party will tell you. In an increasingly secular society, someone's faith can be the butt of jokes - however beige and well-intentioned - yet it remains crucial for many modern footballers' repertoires. Whether helping to rationalise their ethereal gifts or simply needing something bigger to believe in, it just works.
Saka is no different. "My Bible was a gift from my dad," he once said. "I try to read it every night before I go to bed. I memorise the messages, what they mean and try to take it into my life." Born in Ealing, west London, to parents who had emigrated from Nigeria, Bukayo takes his given name from the Yoruba for 'adds to happiness'. He's been doing plenty of that for Arsenal supporters in recent years, having honed his skills at home.
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av FourFourTwo UK.
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Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av FourFourTwo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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MY PERFECT XI ANITA ASANTE
The former Lionesses defender selects a cosmopolitan side brimming with talent and guided by an all-time great
Complete TOSH
John Toshack's remarkable career took him from Wales, Liverpool and Real Madrid to Azerbaijan, Morocco and Iran. After a brush with death in 2022, he tells his story to FFT
30 WONDERKIDS WHO FADED
FFT remembers the young stars who slipped by the wayside, via backflips, seal dribbles and a suffering goose
Diego on for The son of God
Growing up as the initially unrecognised offspring of Diego Maradona wasn't easy, but after winning his dad's heart and enjoying success in beach soccer, the Neapolitan explains why he's now found peace
VIVA LA REVOLUTION
Horrified at the Glazer family's impending takeover two decades ago, a group of Manchester United fans went to church. FC United was their divine inspiration, a phoenix club born at the heart of the community
THE SLOT MACHINE
Via the shock exit of Jurgen Klopp, key figures tell the inside story of how a group of rising stars and future kings were brought to Liverpool - and how their new Dutch boss led them to the top of the Premier League
SCOTLAND'S OTHER DERBY
It may lack the Old Firm's toxicity, but Edinburgh's head-to-head is no less hostile. FFT went to witness it first hand
LIFE BEGINS AT 40
Now in his fifth decade, Cristiano Ronaldo has no intention of retiring - not with a World Cup in his sights and while still scoring for club and country. But should that decision be taken out of his hands, and could less be more?
SUCCESSION
Bob Paisley delivered glory when he followed Bill Shankly as Liverpool boss. At other clubs, though, following a legendary gaffer has had mixed results...
SING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING
FEATURE FOOTBALL SONGS SING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING From El Tel to John Barnes, footballers once delivered a string of memorable tunes and even the odd No.1 FFT salutes a lost tradition
