Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has released a simple statement in the wake of England’s win over Slovakia at Euro 2024.
England were far from their best in Cologne on Sunday, as they ultimately secured a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 2-1 win over Slovakia after extra time.
The Three Lions were staring down the barrel of a humiliating exit from the tournament, before Jude Bellingham’s 95th minute bicycle kick forced the game into an additional 30 minutes.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka played the full 120 minutes of the match, and in more than one role too. Around the hour mark, after an injury to Kieran Trippier, the 22-year-old was moved to left-back.
The Hale End academy graduate has played as a full-back before, but not for a long time. Arsenal icon Lee Dixon believes that Saka wasn’t thrilled with being shifted into a more defensive role, but the player did not struggle with the change on the pitch.
However, Saka has established himself as one of the best wingers in the Premier League under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, and has long been a fixture on the right flank for the Gunners.
Despite this, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright had already predicted prior to this match that Saka may be seen at left-back at some point during Euro 2024.
The winger has now reflected on this match himself.
Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka sums up England after Slovakia win
In the wake of this hard-fought result, Saka took to Instagram and summed up England’s performance with one word: “Spirit!”
Arsenal and England teammate Declan Rice replied to this post with an emoji of crossed fingers and a red heart symbol.
Rice himself has discussed the England players’ enduring belief that they would find a way to win this match, as he revealed what they were saying to one another on the pitch just moments prior to Bellingham’s goal.
Saka and England still have plenty left to prove
Whilst he has generally done okay in Germany so far, Saka is still yet to produce the form that Arsenal fans all know that he is capable of at Euro 2024.
However, this is true of every England player. Southgate’s side will need to improve vastly if they are to beat Switzerland in their quarter-final clash on Saturday.