Bukayo Saka reveals why Arsenal pal Aubameyang gave him ‘Little Chilli’ nickname as England kid eyes red hot Euro 2020

BUKAYO SAKA just loves his ‘Little Chilli’ nickname — and hopes to be red hot at Euro 2020.

The England winger was given the name at Arsenal by forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang due to his explosive finishing.

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Bukayo Saka loves the nickname Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave himEngland and Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka is proud of his Little Chilli nickname, given him by club-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was wowed by Bukayo Saka’s shooting

And skipper Auba gave him a jewel-encrusted chilli inscribed with his name after winning the FA Cup final against Chelsea in 2020.

Saka, 19, said: “It started from Auba. He said the name in French.

“We were doing one finishing drill one time in training and he kept saying it, and I kept scoring.

“I was shooting with so much power and he was calling me little chilli in French.

“I didn’t know what it was. I asked him after and he told it meant little chilli.

“From then on he kept calling me it and then it became a thing, and now it’s a big thing, a lot of people call me it.

“You’ve not seen my chain? It’s on my Instagram.

“He did a good job with that. I’m grateful. I love it. It’s unique.”

Saka landed a place in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad due to an impressive season at Arsenal.

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And the teenager thanked the role played by former club coach Freddie Ljungberg.

Saka said: “He has been really good with me.

“From 14, when he took over my development, he challenged me in a way other coaches did not.

“He pushed me and saw my potential in a way other coaches did not.

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“All the way to the Under-23s he was still pushing me and even in the first team he was still helping me.

“Even until today. He has had a big influence on my career.

“He says different things. Because he was a winger himself he had a lot of experience himself and learning points to give me.”

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