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.

2. Tactically, Bukayo Saka Suits What England Need

Opting to stick with a back four in each of the three Euro 2020 group games, it would be uncharacteristically risky of Southgate to revert to a back three on Tuesday. Even if the shape would match that which Joachim Low utilises, making that adjustment mid-tournament is ill-advised.

In the 4-2-3-1, Saka on the right would provide the ideal weapon to expose the space Robin Gosens vacates at left wing-back in Germany’s 3-4-3 setup.

The Atalanta defender is effectively a winger for club and country, aided by Antonio Rudiger in behind him who is no slouch.

Gosens will look to pin Saka and whoever plays at right-back deep into their own half, always seeking the overlap or space to have a shot. He will want to spend at little of his time as he can in his own third of the pitch.

Boasting such an intelligent reading of the game, Saka understands the concept of space: he knows where it is, where it will be available and he knows which runs to make to exploit those areas. While it might take a few minutes to suss out Gosens’ patterns – some pre-match work will help with this – once he’s absorbed the field of play the movements into dangerous areas can be explosive.

When England do have the ball high up they need someone with excellent ball retention to sustain those attacks – and presumably win fouls as per the mantra – which adds more emphasis on Saka’s inclusion.

If used properly against Germany, Saka can be England’s biggest attacking outlet down that side.

3. Bukayo Saka Can be Trusted to Defend for England

Phil Foden is the standout option for England, and arguably the one Saka is vying against most to be starting on Tuesday.

Jadon Sancho would be involved in that debate but for some alarming reason known only to Southgate, he is remarkably overlooked.

Considering England aren’t likely to see much of the ball against a midfield of Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan, they will need wingers who will not only track back but hold their own deep in their own half.

There are no wide forwards in the England squad as defensively capable and disciplined as Saka. Having played in every position there is on a football pitch, a fair chunk of his job will be in some form of right wing-back slot.

His work rate is second to none – as it will be for any England player in this situation as nobody is not going to give 100%, let’s not pretend he’s alone in that – and his versatility and ability to assume multiple positions over the course of a single match should elevate his chances of starting at Wembley.

That tactical flexibility and seamless transition into different shapes and roles will be essential to England who will need their wide players to cover the full-backs and still aim to retain the ball higher up the pitch.

Saka is the man. And, whatever happens on Tuesday, he’s done himself and the Arsenal community so proud.