Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has admitted he finds it ‘nice’ to play with a Manchester City player for England at Euro 2024 this summer as they fill the forward with ‘confidence’.
Gareth Southgate named three players from both of the 2023/24 Premier League title rivals in his 26-man European Championship squad. Only Crystal Palace saw more of their players make the cut with four in the fold. Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice represent Arsenal.
Saka has also played a pivotal role in England reaching the last 16 of Euro 2024 and having a date with Slovakia on Sunday. The 22-year-old started all three of their Group C ties and saw Jude Bellingham head home his deflected cross to beat Serbia 1-0 for England’s only victory.
Bukayo Saka finds it ‘nice’ playing with Man City’s Kyle Walker for England
Southgate has trusted Saka with playing the 10th-most minutes by any England play at Euro 2024 so far with 216. Rice has also played the joint-most by a Three Lions ace in Germany at 270 with John Stones, Marc Guehi, Kyle Walker and Arsenal transfer target Jordan Pickford.
Saka particularly relishes playing beside Walker on England’s right flank at Euro 2024 as the Manchester City defender fills the Arsenal academy product with ‘confidence’. The forward even names the 34-year-old as the toughest England player he faces in the Premier League.
READ MORE: Every Arsenal player at Euro 2024 as 11 stars represent their nations
“I think Kyle Walker is definitely up there,” Saka told talkSPORT. “If you ask most wingers, coming up against him is a very tough challenge.
“But, now, most of the time he’s playing behind me, so it’s nice to have that confidence behind you. With someone so strong like that, I feel free to attack.”
Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal have only beaten Kyle Walker’s Manchester City once
Walker won his sixth Premier League title at Manchester City last term at Arsenal and Saka’s expense. He joined the Citizens from Tottenham Hotspur back in July 2017 and has also won the Champions League once, the FA Cup twice and featured in four EFL Cup-winning teams.
His years with Tottenham and Manchester City have also seen Walker face Arsenal 28 times, only playing Chelsea (30) more often. The defender has also taken 18 wins and three draws against the Gunners. Walker and Saka have also played against each other eight times so far.
Saka’s only win against Walker yet also came in last year’s Community Shield as Arsenal beat Manchester City on penalties. But, as they share the same side of the field for England, Saka does not naturally line up on the wing facing Walker when Arsenal take on Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta has Arsenal stars in Marbella while Bukayo Saka struggles at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode of the Arsenal Insider Podcast, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani debated England’s recent poor performances at Euro 2024 with Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka receiving mixed reviews so far. Gareth Southgate’s tactical decisions were questioned.
“There was even some talk about the members of the Arsenal squad currently on a surprise mini-training camp with boss Mikel Arteta in Marbella, as well as a brief look at how Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are getting on with Brazil at the Copa America in the USA.
