Bukayo Saka has been one of England’s most productive attackers since fully breaking into Gareth Southgate’s starting XI back in 2021.
Starting off as a left-back, as he did with Arsenal, Saka has quickly established himself as the main right-sided attacker for England, where since the 22-year-old forward’s debut, only Harry Kane has managed more goal contributions for the Three Lions.
Which is why it came as a shock to many Arsenal fans when there were calls from the media for Saka to start at left-back for England, most notably from Ian Wright, with Kieran Trippier failing to do much in the position at Euro 2024.
And one Saka stat against Slovakia showed that the Arsenal forward should never be considered to play in defence again.
Saka completed the most dribbles in England’s dramatic win vs Slovakia
As per WhoScored, Saka completed the most dribbles out of any player in England’s intense 2-1 win against Slovakia, with Arsenal fans praising the winger for his performance, one that actually saw the 22-year-old go to left-back for a brief period.
With Southgate quickly putting Saka back out on the right in extra-time to much success, the performance from the Arsenal winger greatly highlighted why the Hale End academy graduate is simply beyond playing at left-back for England.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house
Indeed, even with Cole Palmer out on the right, Saka thrived back out on his favoured side in a wingback role that suited the Arsenal star much more than at left-back, with the youngster completing the entire 120 minutes in Gelsenkirchen.
And heading into Saturday’s quarterfinal against Switzerland, Saka will want to go one step further in the right-wing role and get his name on the scoresheet, something only two England players have managed this Euros.
Saka can fully end the England left-back debate against Switzerland
Left-back is a position Saka impressed in during his formative years for club and country, where Mikel Arteta utilised the forward in the positon out of necessity more than anything due to ongoing defensive injuries Arsenal were enduring.
And with Saka now clearly an attacker and one of the best in the world in his position, the winger will want to end this nonsense left-back debate for good in Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland.
With Saka yet to score, the Arsenal winger will want to put an end to his barren run with a good performance against Granit Xhaka and company, and Southgate knows more than anyone that the 22-year-old has the quality to silence the doubters for good.
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.