Arsenal: 3 reasons Bukayo Saka should start for England vs Germany

Ignoring the transfer market for just a moment, no talk of new signings or players leaving to boost the kitty, it’s been an enjoyable summer for Arsenal, majorly because of one man: Bukayo Saka.

How selfish were people in perhaps not wanting the 19-year-old to make England’s European Championships squad just so that he’d get a full summer of resting in time for the coming season? Some may not disclose that information.

But he did make the squad. Not only that, in his sole appearance for Gareth Southgate’s side in the tournament he won the man of the match award. He got his chance against the Czech Republic and you’ll be darn right that he took it.

Kieran Tierney played his part in a memorable performance against the Three Lions, and Granit Xhaka contributed as he always does for Switzerland as they reached the knockout stages, but none quite captured the emotion like Saka in just one small outing.

Arsenal: 3 reasons Bukayo Saka should start for England vs Germany in the Euro 2020 last 16 knockout clash at Wembley on Tuesday

England have it all to do on Tuesday. They’ve navigated their way into the last 16 somewhat ordinarily, scoring just two goals en route to top spot in Group D, presenting them with a daunting clash at Wembley against none other than arch rivals Germany.

Well, they’re England’s rivals. The Germans aren’t quite as fussed about it all. There is a whiff of inferiority complex about it.

If Southgate’s men do manage to secure victory at Wembley then they’re presented with the most favourable route to the final. One pathway features Portugal, Belgium, Italy, France and Spain, while England’s biggest opponents if they are to reach the July 11 showpiece take the form of Germany and the Netherlands. They most definitely can struggle against others but they’re the pick of the bunch.

In order to keep moving through the rounds, England have a panoply of wonderful attacking talent to choose from.

But yes, as biased as can be, it’s Saka who should be starting against Germany. We were never going to argue otherwise where we? Here’s why.

1. Bukayo Saka Fears No Occasion

There are so many outstanding qualities that Saka possesses. You lose count of them he’s so inundated with, as Ian Wright put it, ‘glorious purpose’.

From the very first minute he stepped foot on the pitch for Arsenal he’s grown in confidence. The path this young man has been on in such a short space of time from his Premier League debut in January 2019 to playing for England in a major international tournament at the age of 19 is astounding.

And in every occasion, he never looks flustered. At no point has it ever come across as if he stopped playing the game and focused in too heavily on his surroundings.

Such a trait is vital in matches like these: England will be backed by 45,000 spectators at the national stadium in a knockout fixture. Players who can handle that environment, stick the tactical plan and read the game as it develops with a level head are vital components for a functional team.

There are other members of the squad who can do that, but if they start playing poorly and the fans get on their backs they could crumble.

Saka is made of steel. He doesn’t break.