Gareth Southgate assesses Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka’s England form

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Gareth Southgate has told Sky Sports (broadcast on 18/11; 22:14) that Bukayo Saka was a real plus for England in this international break, insisting that the Arsenal youngster produced three excellent displays.

Saka has been heavily involved for the Three Lions in this break. He started against both Republic of Ireland and then Iceland on Wednesday. And he came on during the first-half of the weekend’s defeat to Belgium.

He really appears to have established himself as a genuine option for the left wing-back role ahead of next summer’s European Championships with his form.

And following the win against Iceland at Wembley, Southgate suggested that he was extremely happy with what he had seen from the Gunners starlet.

“I think to see Bukayo again was a real plus,” he told Sky Sports. “I think he’s really had three excellent performances through this week, again for somebody so young especially. Good balance, to have an attacking-minded player in that position is really helpful.”

It is remarkable to think that Saka only turned 19 a couple of months ago. He is arguably already one of the most exciting players in an Arsenal side that has made great strides under Mikel Arteta.

And he is proving to be an option that the Gunners boss can consider for a number of roles, particularly all the way down the left flank.

The teenager is now staking a claim for a more regular spot for England. And judging by Southgate’s comments, he stands a fantastic chance of playing a prominent role in his side next summer.