It took some time but Arsenal have finally tied Bukayo Saka down to a new contract, underlining his superstar status.
At just 21, Saka is one of the first names on the teamsheet at Arsenal and is the favourite to win the PFA Young Player of the Year.
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In 47 appearances this season, the 'wonderkid' has scored 14 and assisted 11, but his story began many years ago.
While coming up through the age ranks at Hale End, it was clear to see this was no ordinary young player.
Saka was simply too good, skyrocketing through the age groups and making older opponents look silly on a regular basis.
And one youth coach was left stunned by the youngster, aged just 11 when he arrived and took charge of a national futsal tournament, including some of the biggest clubs in the country.
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Luke Hobbs was more interested in developing the group of kids rather than winning, but Saka made him think twice on his ideals.
He told Arsenal's official website: “Bukayo was 11 when I came to Arsenal and my first experience working with him was for the under-12s at a Premier League futsal tournament.
“It’s five-a-side, indoors, loads of touches, it’s a good programme.
"Anyway, we won the qualifiers comfortably and made it to the national competition in Leeds.
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“As the lead coach I took the group that weekend. I came into it with a really open approach.
"I had 10 players and would literally put five on for the first half of the 12-minute games, then put the other five on for the last six minutes, and give everyone an opportunity. I didn’t see it as a win-at-all-costs thing.
“So we did that, and got to the final against Chelsea. I put Bukayo’s team on first, and then took them off at half-time, with us winning.
"Chelsea obviously had a good team too and they brought it back to 3-3, and I remember thinking: ‘If I want to win this, I need to put Bukayo back on.’
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“So whether it was right or wrong in terms of my methods, I put him back on, and before you know it he’d made it 4-3, then 5-3, then straight into the top corner - 6-3.
"They couldn’t get the ball off him! So we lifted the trophy and had a nice journey back!
“I remember that moment well, but despite him winning the game for us, there was no arrogance at all from him.”
After a year, Saka was moved up to the Under-14s level to further aid his development - taking part in 11 vs 11 matches against much older kids but that could not stop him.
Coaches were regularly blown away by the forward, who was also utilised as a left-back, something that helped him break into the first-team.
Hobbs added: “I’d be lying if I said about any player at 11, 12, 13 that they are going to be a superstar. It’s too early to tell.
"But with Bukayo, I think when he was 15, playing for the national team and for us at under-16, and consistently performing in the big games against the big teams, dominating them, then you start thinking: ‘this kid could do it.’”
Fast forward six years and Saka is arguably the best young player in the country, one of the best in the world and a regular in the England team.
It is fair to say Hobbs hit the nail on the head.
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