A surprising and hilarious moment between Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems is currently making waves online after the footballer admitted he had never heard of legendary singer Celine Dion.
The unexpected moment occurred during an episode of “The Link Up,” a brand-new show launched on Arsenal F.C.’s newly released digital platform, “The Arsenal.” The series features Saka sitting down with stars from football, music and popular culture to discuss life beyond the pitch. For the debut episode, Saka welcomed Tems as his first guest, and the conversation quickly turned into a viral moment that fans across both the football and music worlds can’t stop talking about.
The Moment That Shocked Tems
The episode was filmed at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, a historic location that has hosted some of the biggest names in music. During their conversation, Saka asked Tems about her musical idols growing up. Without hesitation, the Nigerian superstar mentioned Celine Dion, one of the most celebrated vocalists in music history.
But the moment took a humorous turn when Saka responded honestly:
“I don’t know who that is.”
Tems’ reaction said it all. The singer appeared visibly shocked and burst into laughter, clearly surprised that the Arsenal star was unfamiliar with the Canadian music legend.
The clip quickly went viral online, sparking a flood of reactions across social media.
Who Is Celine Dion?
For many music lovers, the reaction was understandable given Celine Dion’s legendary status in the global music industry.
The Canadian singer is widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all time, known for powerful ballads that dominated charts worldwide.
Some of her most iconic songs include:
- “My Heart Will Go On” — the famous soundtrack from the blockbuster movie Titanic
- “Because You Loved Me”
- “The Power of Love”
With multiple Grammy Awards and decades of global success, Dion’s influence spans generations. However, Saka’s admission highlighted how musical tastes and cultural influences differ between generations and regions.
Saka Reveals His Love for Afrobeats
While Saka may not know Celine Dion, he made it clear that he is a big fan of Afrobeats music.
During the conversation, the Arsenal winger told Tems that he listens to Afrobeats regularly, mentioning artists like:
- Tems herself
- Asake
- Burna Boy
Saka explained that Afrobeats is part of his everyday listening, showing how deeply the genre has influenced young audiences around the world — especially in the UK where the culture continues to grow rapidly.
The moment also highlighted a shared cultural connection, as both Saka and Tems have Nigerian heritage.
GuiltyBeatz Joins the Conversation
The episode also featured Ghanaian producer GuiltyBeatz, who has worked closely with Tems on several projects.
GuiltyBeatz is known for contributing to Tems’ debut album Born in the Wild and her earlier project If Orange Was a Place.
His presence added another layer to the conversation as the trio discussed music, creativity and the similarities between creating music in the studio and performing at the highest level in sports.
Internet Reacts to Saka’s Confession
As expected, the internet had plenty to say about Saka’s revelation.
Some fans were genuinely shocked that the football star didn’t recognize one of music’s most famous voices.
Others took the moment lightly and turned it into jokes.
A few reactions online included:
- “Saka doesn’t know Celine Dion?? Wow!”
- “Maybe he thought she meant the Zinoleesky song.”
- “Same here, I don’t know her either.”
Some users even defended Saka, pointing out that music taste is subjective and often shaped by culture and generation.
Others praised the footballer for simply being honest instead of pretending to know the artist.
Arsenal’s New Entertainment Platform
The viral moment comes as Arsenal launches a new fan-focused digital platform called “The Arsenal.”
The app aims to give supporters exclusive access to original shows, behind-the-scenes content and interviews with players and cultural figures.
Among the shows debuting on the platform are:
- “The Link Up” — hosted by Bukayo Saka
- “The Big Match” — a dating show featuring Arsenal fans going on blind dates during games
- “Raising the Bar” — where Declan Rice interviews club legends including Thierry Henry
- “Modern Leader” — a documentary following Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard
The platform also features exclusive footage from the Arsenal women’s team’s historic UEFA Women’s Champions League triumph.
Saka’s Strong Season Continues
While the viral moment has captured attention off the pitch, Saka continues to deliver impressive performances for Arsenal during the 2025/26 season.
So far this campaign, the winger has:
- Played 26 Premier League matches
- Scored 6 league goals
- Registered 5 assists
Across all competitions, Saka has made 37 appearances, scoring 9 goals and providing 7 assists.
His latest goal came in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Brighton, helping the club maintain their strong position at the top of the Premier League table.
A Cultural Moment for Football and Music
Beyond the humour, the interaction between Saka and Tems represents something bigger — the growing connection between football, music and global culture. The episode highlights how athletes and artists increasingly share the same cultural spaces, influencing each other and reaching audiences far beyond their original industries.
And if nothing else, one thing is clear:
Tems definitely wasn’t expecting that answer about Celine Dion.
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