MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 02:28:13| >> :120:4729:4729:

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka crowned England Men's Player of the Year

Bukayo Saka crowned England Men's Player of the Year
© Reuters
Bukayo Saka is crowned the England Men's Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, becoming the first Arsenal man to win the award.

Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka has been crowned the England Men's Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season.

The 21-year-old recovered from his Euro 2020 penalty heartbreak to remain a vital player for Arsenal domestically, and he made waves on the international stage last year.

Saka was selected for the Three Lions' World Cup qualification period in September, October and November, during which he scored three goals and provided two assists from five appearances.

The Hale End graduate scored one and set up another in a 4-0 win over Andorra on his 20th birthday before once again netting against the Tricolors one month later.

Saka then contributed another goal and assist in the 10-0 thumping of San Marino in November, although he failed to contribute in any of England's four UEFA Nations League games in June.

Nevertheless, the attacker won the majority of the fans' vote to scoop the Men's Player of the Year award, becoming the first-ever Arsenal man to be handed the prestigious honour.

West Ham United lynchpin Declan Rice came in second, while Tottenham Hotspur striker and Three Lions skipper Harry Kane was in third place.

Saka received his award during a press conference with grassroots players at St George's Park, and he proceeded to take questions from the youngsters after being handed the trophy.

The Arsenal man was also crowned the Gunners' Men's Player Of The Year for 2021-22 after coming up with 11 goals and seven assists in 38 Premier League outings, and he is one of 10 finalists for the 2022 Kopa Trophy.

Saka already has one goal and four assists to his name from eight appearances in Arsenal colours this term, while his England tally now stands at four goals and four assists from 18 outings.

England's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring against Andorra on September 5, 2021© Reuters

Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips won the England Men's Player of the Year award for 2020-21, and Arsenal had only ever seen two players make the top three before Saka's triumph.

Theo Walcott finished third in 2008 behind Wayne Rooney and Gareth Barry, while Danny Welbeck was runner-up to Rooney in 2014, ahead of third-placed Raheem Sterling.

Saka has been included in Gareth Southgate's squad for September's UEFA Nations League clashes with Italy and Germany, as the Three Lions aim to avoid being relegated to League B.

England sit bottom of the League A Group 3 standings with just two points to their name, and their demotion will be confirmed if they lose to the Azzurri at San Siro on Friday night.

ID:495256:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5042:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Click here for more stories about Bukayo Saka

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Marcus Rashford in action for Manchester United on August 7, 2022
Read Next:
Three England players still hoping to force their way into Southgate's plans for World Cup
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!