Gunners duo eye title tilts

England and Arsenal forwards Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah (both pictured above, Saka main picture) are also on God’s side. The pair regularly play together for the Gunners in a God-fearing front line that’s also striking fear into opposition defenders.

But while they’re hoping for domestic and international glory – with Arsenal challenging for the Premier League title and England made Euro 24 favourites – their eternal glory is assured.

The duo are both vocal Christians, with their faith central to what they do on the pitch.

Saka, now aged 22, reads his Bible every day, and it helps him play. “For me, it’s really important to obviously have the presence of God in me all the time, and it gives me more confidence that God’s plan is perfect so I can go on the pitch and know that God has my back,” said Saka.

“The main thing for me is just keeping my faith – having faith in God so I don’t need to be worried about any outcomes.”

Born in Ealing, London, to Nigerian parents who are Christians, Saka was also given a faith-based grounding at a Church of England primary school.

“When we were growing up we were taught by our parents to have faith in God,” Saka told GQ.

“Throughout life, you keep exercising your faith, so when you get into different challenges, you decide, ‘This time I’m going to trust God,’ and God comes through for you. That’s how it kept building and building for me, so I can be confident and go into places knowing that God’s got me.”

His Bible is one of the 10 things he couldn’t live without, he told GQ: “Reading this Bible all the time helps me to learn more and more about God.”

THIS ISN'T THE END OF THE STORY!

Read the whole story in the January 2024 issue of New Life Newspaper.

New Life Newspaper

New Life is packed with celebrity testimonies, real-life stories, sports stars and much more. Find the latest edition and many back issues of New Life here.