How Bukayo Saka showed the country what Arsenal fans already knew

Bukayo Saka, 19

How Bukayo Saka showed the country what Arsenal fans already knew 

By Jonny Bray

 

The reaction across the country to Bukayo Saka’s inclusion in the starting line-up against the Czech Republic last week bordered on being disrespectful.  

Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Raheem Sterling are all outstanding attacking players, but the response completely disregarded Saka’s obvious talents. 

Since then, Saka, 19, has been England’s stand-out player for two consecutive games, starring against the Czech Republic before carrying England through a dark period at the start of the first half against Germany.  

This begs two questions.  

Why was the country so quick to dismiss Saka’s obvious talents prior to his last two performances and what did he do to change these opinions so quickly?  

It’s been clear to anyone who watched Arsenal last season that he’s taken the outstanding form that saw him become a key player for the Gunners into the international arena.  

 

Why was the country so quick to dismiss Saka? 

 

There are two clear reasons why the country was so quick to dismiss Saka.  

Firstly, the competition the squad has in attacking areas meant that many fans simply didn’t think he was up to the standard.  

We’ve already mention Sancho, Grealish, Foden and Sterling but there is also incredible competition at left and right wing-back where Saka has also been deployed for Arsenal this season.  

This meant the idea of Gareth Southgate selecting him didn’t just come across as a surprise to many fans, it came across as going against what was best for the team.  

However, Southgate has clearly seen what Mikel Arteta and most Arsenal fans have seen in Saka, specifically that he is one of, if not the standout young talents in the country.  

The second reason why the public were so quick to criticise Saka’s selection was because of where Arsenal finished in last season’s Premier League.  

Arsenal’s eighth place finish was incredibly disappointing, but it is abundantly clear that the Gunners would have finished much lower were it not for Saka’s heroics.  

He scored five goals and recorded three assists in 32 appearances, which for a 19-year-old is incredibly impressive.  

He also offers far more than goals and assists, meaning most of his positive influences on the team often go unrecognised.  

The assumption that Saka wasn’t a potential starter was influenced by the public perception of Arsenal last season.  

 

What did he do to change public opinion?  

 

First things first, he’s been part of a winning team.  

Much of the excitement surrounding Saka would have disappeared were England to have lost to Germany.   

However, as an individual he has also silenced any critics with his attacking play.  

He’s not been afraid to receive the ball, no matter how well marked he’s been, and when’s he’s received it his first instinct has almost always been to turn and get England on the front foot.  

England started badly against Germany.  

They couldn’t get out of their own half or have any period of consistent possession.  

This was until Saka started receiving the ball after the first ten minutes and he was able to drive England up the pitch and into far more threatening attacking positions.  

This was particularly important as Harry Kane seemed to be losing the ball every time he had it played into his feet.  

Saka has also kept the ball well in both England games so far.  

His pass success rate against Germany was a solid 73.9% whilst against the Czech Republic it was a very impressive 85.7%.  

Saka has only lost the ball five times and according to whoscored.com, has only had five bad controls across both games.  

Much of England’s best attacking moments came down his right wing against Germany, often creating space for Sterling on the left.  

This is potentially foreshadowing an exciting partnership that Arsenal fans could see at The Emirates next season.  

 

Should Saka start against Ukraine.  

 

England’s strength at this tournament has been their ability to select forward players that are perfectly tailored to exploit the weaknesses of their specific opposition.  

Against Croatia, pace wasn’t necessarily what England needed, they needed players who could keep the ball and drop into midfield to help keep a lid on Luka Modric.  

Against Scotland and the Czech Republic, England needed slightly more creativity and bravery in attacking areas to break down low defensive blocks.  

Against Germany, England needed to exploit the high line the Germans were playing whilst also occupying their wing-backs.  

England will face a very different test to Germany against Ukraine on Saturday.  

They will need to occupy two outstanding wing-backs once again in Oleksandr Karavaev and Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.  

However, Southgate and his team would be fools to expect Ukraine to play a high line against an England side with so much pace in attacking areas.  

For this reason, England should start Grealish in the attacking three with Kane and Sterling.  

However, Saka should start at left wing-back to ensure England have enough creativity in attacking areas. 

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