Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been the focus of criticism directed at the England National Team after a disappointing Euro 2024 group stage.
England did win their group, but it came with two turgid draws in which none of their attacking players thrived. This has led to calls for Gareth Southgate to change his lineup, and Arsenal legend Ian Wright even controversially suggested that Saka should move to left-back to accommodate Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.
Other Arsenal stars have come in for criticism at the tournament, and midfielder Jorginho is now set to lose his starting spot for Italy in their round-of-16 clash with Switzerland.
The tie would have seen him go head to head with his former Arsenal midfield partner Granit Xhaka, who joined Bayer Leverkusen last year and went on to complete a historic undefeated season.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka reveals conversations with Granit Xhaka
Speaking to talkSPORT, Saka revealed that he spoke to Xhaka in the build-up to the tournament, but the pair have not conversed since their respective campaigns began.
“Since he left Arsenal? Yeah, I have spoken to him a few times, but not since we came to this tournament,” Saka stated of Xhaka.
“He has had an amazing year with Leverkusen and looks like he has carried on that form into this tournament. So, yeah, I am happy for him, so let’s see if we end up playing them.”
How Granit Xhaka helped Bukayo Saka develop at Arsenal
When Saka first broke into the Arsenal first-team in 2019, he was selected at left-back after injuries to Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney.
Whilst he did thrive going forward, it was clear that Saka was not meant to be in the back four, showing that Wright’s suggestion of placing him there for England may not be the best idea, with Saka admitting that this is not the solution.
Saka was able to perform at left-back because Xhaka would drop deeper into the space he left in behind, and the midfielder helped provide the England star with the platform to succeed.
If England and Switzerland win their round of 16 ties, they will face each other in the quarter-finals, and this could see Saka and Xhaka go head to head for the first time.
Arteta has Arsenal stars in Marbella whilst Bukayo Saka struggles at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discussed England’s recent poor performances at the European Championships. With Arsenal players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka receiving mixed reviews for England so far, Gareth Southgate’s tactical decisions were questioned.
There was some talk about the members of the Arsenal squad currently on a surprise training camp with Mikel Arteta in Marbella, as well as a brief look at how Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are getting on at the Copa America with Brazil.