‘Hang on, what?’: TalkSPORT pundit can’t believe what Jamie O’Hara has just said about Bukayo Saka now

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TalkSPORT’s Laura Woods can’t believe what Jamie O’Hara has just said about Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka now.

The 21-year-old has been in brilliant form for the Gunners this season and has played a pivotal role in Mikel Arteta side’s near-flawless start.

Saka has already scored four goals and provided five assists in just 12 appearances.

With England’s first game at the World Cup just 20 days away, talk surrounding Gareth Southagte’s potential starting line-up is heating up.

And O’Hara says he would start Manchester United star Marcus Rashford over Saka for England.

What O’Hara said about Saka

Speaking on TalkSPORT today, O’Hara said: “What about Marcus Rashford? I guess he’s in there [England squad] anyway, is he? But he’s been really good this season.

“I would actually start him. I would start him for England. I’d play [Raheem] Sterling as well, I wouldn’t play [Phil] Foden or [Jack] Grealish.”

Woods responded: “You wouldn’t play Saka?”

But the former Tottenham midfielder insisted that he would like to see Sterling and Rashford play alongside Harry Kane.

And his comment left Woods baffled as she replied: “Hang on, what? Jamie!”

O’Hara then proceeded to explain why he would like to see Rashford in the starting line-up over Saka in Qatar.

“When I’ve watched England in the past, when I really enjoyed watching England, a while ago because it’s not been great recently because we play this 3-4-3 that he likes to play,” O’Hara explained.

“When I really enjoyed us, was when Rashford, Kane and Sterling played as a front-three. And Rashford was brilliant, he was in great form then he completely went off the boil got an injury, done his back.

“He hasn’t really come back and been the same player. But now he’s coming back and he’s that player again.

“I think he’s a massive problem for us because the issue I have when England play is everything is in front. Kane drops deep, Grealish comes to feet, Foden comes to feet.

“And that’s why we get amazed at Saka and Sterling, Saka’s direct as he gets the ball and goes past people. That’s what Rashford was doing.

“I think pace scares teams, especially in the World Cup. If they’re too good defensively, they’re too organised and you play in front of teams, you’re not going to break them down.

“If you play Rashford, who can get behind and you play Sterling who can get behind – I think he’s a serious threat. That for me is why I would play him.”

Rashford has been putting in some eye-catching displays of late under Erik Ten Hag and could force his way back into the England squad.

But Saka has been a standout performer for the Three Lions and Arsenal over the past year.

The Arsenal star did pick up an injury on Saturday against Nottingham Forest but The Sun reported yesterday that the Gunners are confident Saka hasn’t sustained any serious damage.

Southgate has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal. But England looked more of an attacking threat while Saka was playing off the right-hand side in their Nations League games last month.

The England boss will be delighted to see Rashford getting back to his best but will be hoping to receive good news on Saka’s injury this week.