Gareth Southgate lauds Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka ahead of England debut

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Bukayo Saka is in line to make his England debut on Thursday, according to the Daily Mirror, with Gareth Southgate lauding the Arsenal youngster as an exciting prospect.

The Mirror claims that Saka is set to feature in the friendly against Wales. It is the latest achievement for the 19-year-old, who has been a revelation for the Gunners, particularly over the last year.

And ahead of the clash with Ryan Giggs’s men, Southgate explained just how impressed he has been by the Arsenal teenager after getting to work closely with him in recent days.

“I’ve loved getting to know him this week, a really charming personality you can really see how excited he is by everything,” he said, as reported by the Mirror.

“Also he is an exciting player, we know he can play for or different positions already. He’s done them for Arsenal: wide left, wide right, wing back, left back.

“I think out and out left back at this level would be a little bit more difficult but any of those advanced positions he is more than capable.”

TBR View: Southgate comments hint at plans for Saka

Southgate’s final comment certainly seems to drop a hint over what Saka’s role may be. With Ben Chilwell unavailable, England do not actually have a natural left-back in the squad.

That may have prompted some to wonder if Saka may fill that role. However, Southgate appears to potentially quash that idea.

Of course, that may mean Saka playing on the left in front of a back three. Southgate used a similar system with Kieran Trippier in that position in the last break.

That proved to be a tough couple of games for Trippier. And England looked a lot less threatening down the left flank with the right-back in that role.

So perhaps, it will be Saka who is picked in that position against Wales. Or maybe there may be scope for the Arsenal youngster to push even further forward for the Three Lions.