Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is going from strength to strength for club and country, and impressed as England won their Euro 2024 opener.
England were far from impressive overall against Serbia, but a 1-0 victory secured three early points for Gareth Southgate’s side, with Declan RIce and Saka in the starting XI.
Saka played a huge part in the victory as he set up Jude Bellingham’s goal, tearing down the right wing before his cross met the Real Madrid star’s head.
The 22-year-old was outstanding for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta this season, with 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 games across all competitions this season, and he is a player who Arteta rarely ever rotates as a crucial part of his team.
With a lot of talk over England potentially looking to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer or Manchester City’s Phil Foden to take his place on the right wing, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has now explained why Saka is a guaranteed selection for club and country.
Ian Wright explains why Bukayo Saka is undroppable for Arsenal and England
Speaking on ITV Euro 2024 coverage, Wright heaped praise on the Arsenal talisman, highlighting the consistency with which Saka steps up to deliver for England.
“We didn’t get it going, we haven’t got it going yet. We’ve got players who are more than capable,” Wright stated of England’s campaign so far.
“What we’re seeing with Saka, especially when you look at his England record, that’s what 27 goal involvements in 24 games? This guy’s undroppable for England and Arsenal.
“When people talk about ‘is he world class’ it’s irrelevant. Like he said, he’s going to continue to play and do his talking on the pitch, and that’s what he’s doing and that is what we want everybody to do, just raise their game again.
“But his consistency is off the charts. For somebody that was playing through injury throughout the season, that had to be nursed through, I’m so proud of him, so pleased for him.”
Bukayo Saka’s importance to England at Euro 2024
England do have other top-quality right-wingers in Jarrod Bowen and Foden available, but neither have performed as well as Saka has for England.
At Arsenal, Saka is often double-marked by opposition defenders. On the International stage this is less apparent, and he has more space to run in behind and contribute devastating output.
Saka adds an edge that no other England winger does with his dribbling ability and strength on the ball. If teams at Euro 2024 decide to double-mark him, it will be down to Bellingham and Foden to take advantage of the extra space he creates for them. If Saka is allowed to run in behind defences, then it will be down to Harry Kane to finish off the chances he creates.