Arsenal: 3 main Bukayo Saka positives of England Euro 2020 call-up

It’s impossible not to be bursting with pride. A 26-man squad selected to try and win a major international tournament has Bukayo Saka in it. Arsenal will have an English representative in the 2020 European Championships and the 19-year-old couldn’t be any more deserving of it.

With the Premier League off-season underway, the majority of attention from supporters has been directed to the summer transfer window. Given the sheer volume of work that needs to be undertaken at Arsenal, this is of little surprise.

International tournament football is always a source of excitement, although rarely ever are Arsenal so under-represented as they will be for Euro 2020.

Just four of the current senior squad will be featuring, and two of those look like heading out of the exit door. Indeed, Bernd Leno’s future edges closer to being away from north London as the Gunners heavily pursue Andre Onana, while Granit Xhaka is also seeking an exit with Roma pushing hard for his signature.

https://twitter.com/BukayoSaka87/status/1399787395034357770

Arsenal: 3 main Bukayo Saka positives of England Euro 2020 call-up

That leaves Kieran Tierney, one of England’s Group D rivals, and now Bukayo Saka, who surprised a few by making the cut from 33 to 26 despite being the most versatile member of Gareth Southgate’s entire squad.

Seeing the Hale Ender’s performances dip in the final few weeks of the season instilled a sense of selfish desire among many. Going away on an international tournament is always special, but he’s played countless minutes across multiple positions this season with a backpack stuffed full of Arsenal Football Club the entire way.

If Saka weren’t to go it would ensure he gets some valuable and richly deserved rest, a similar emotion with Emile Smith Rowe who would have been at the Under-21 European Championship knockout stages were it not for the Three Lions’ failings in the group stages.

The star boy staying in the game and being part of the England camp is nothing but positive, however. This is glorious news for many reasons, with the three biggest listed here.

3. Bukayo Saka is Unlikely to Play for England

26 players in the squad and only 11 can start the matches. Simple stuff. Equally, no European football next season ensures Saka can be utilised in the 38 games that truly matter.

Southgate tends to have his favourites across the pitch and his decision to select four right-backs proves that he has plans in place for either a back four or a back five depending on the opposition. Saka’s inclusion in the squad has been decided because he is so flexible, whether as a left wing-back or in the forward line.

As much as we all love him, however, England are utterly spoiled in attack. It’s quite an astounding selection of talent: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford. Wide areas are packed full of magnificent options.

In the left-back slot it’s also difficult to look past Luke Shaw, who had arguably his best season for Manchester United, as well as Ben Chilwell who, despite being flawed, has just one a Champions League title and has improved as the season wore on.

That does not mean there will be no place for Saka at all, though. He’s in the squad for a reason. Rarely ever does he have a bad game and Southgate is a big fan of his, even keeping him in and around the team in the previous international break despite his injury. That was telling of his feelings on him in the squad.

Hopefully for the Three Lions, come matchday three against the Czech Republic, a spot in the knockout stages will be sewn up and Saka will get his chance. What will be the first of a long-standing England career.

2. Bukayo Saka Will Gain Rich Experience

One of the most endearing aspects of Saka from both last season and the one prior is how he never looks overawed. No matter the occasion, no matter the opposition and no matter what position he plays, he approaches games with the same mindset: play my football.

What a confidence boost it will then be for him to be part of this setup which will be seen as just rewards for his endeavours. A season to forget for his club wasn’t all in vain and being among richly experienced teammates, some of whom have just scooped European titles, is a wonderful environment for him to be.

He won’t be sat on a beach enjoying a deserved break but he will still be spending time away from a losing atmosphere. While Arsenal finished the season strongly it won’t have been a positive mood around the camp for large spells of the campaign. It will be refreshing.

Southgate has put a lot of work into building a healthy squad dynamic at St George’s Park, with unity among all players strengthened by a friendly bond. Being part of that, before even getting into the football aspect, can only be beneficial.

The methods Southgate will instill aren’t going to be replicated by Mikel Arteta any time soon, but even from fellow teammates such as Jack Grealish and the captain Harry Kane, who have taken Saka under his wing, he will learn a great deal.

1. It Strengthens Arsenal’s Position

Seeing a 19-year-old – and halfway through the season a 20-year-old – carry a football club on their shoulders just isn’t right. Saka, from practically the first minute to the last, was the Arsenal team. He was the first name on the team sheet every week. If anything positive was going to happen during 90 minutes, he would have a deciding role in it.

That isn’t fair on someone who less than three years ago was playing in the EFL Trophy. How quickly he’s risen is testament to his outstanding ability and commitment. What is plain to see, however, is that he is deserving of more. Eighth place finishes in the Premier League and being asked to feature in seven different positions across the campaign is not what Saka deserves.

There is no fear of him leaving Arsenal this summer. A Hale Ender who is adored by all and who himself loves the club, there will nonetheless come a point where European sides will come in and offer what his current club can’t provide. Big clubs will come knocking.

It may count for little but Saka being selected for the 26-man squad will show he doesn’t need to leave the Gunners to make it into the major international stage. That’s down to his own ability.

Arsenal have to build a team worthy of talents such as Saka. As seemed weakest pre-Christmas, if Saka decided he wanted to leave the club nobody could have blamed him. Being involved with England is only positive and we wish him a fruitful tournament, before he comes back and lifts the 2021/22 Premier League trophy, of course.