Bukayo Saka: Southgate Praises Arsenal Star’s Confidence and Ruthlessness

Bukayo Saka: Southgate Praises Arsenal Star’s Confidence and Ruthlessness

Elijah Odetokun
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM
In this article:
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B.Saka
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  • Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka is one of the best wingers in Europe
  • The 21-year-old carried his club form to national team duty
  • Gareth Southgate has highlighted the vital areas Saka has improved in his game

Bukayo Saka is one of Mikel Arteta's star men in Arsenal's quest for their first Premier League title in 19 years. He has helped the team to eight points clear at the top of the table.

His rise to one of Europe's hottest wingers has been steady since his debut for the club in 2018 and has cemented a place for himself on the right side of the Gunners' attack.

His fitness and versatility are two attributes that have seen him play most games for club and country and deployed across several positions, all of which he has performed like he was made for it.

Bukayo Saka, Gareth Southgate, England, 2022, World Cup.
Bukayo Saka and Gareth Southgate after England's 3-0 over Senegal at the World Cup. Photo by Eddie Keogh.
Source: Getty Images

According to Times UK, he carried his club form to international duty and helped the Three Lions brush aside Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley.

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Southgate praises Saka's improvement

The Hale End graduate assisted Harry Kane for England's opener before scoring with a powerful strike from outside the box three minutes later to help the country make it two wins out of two in the qualifying series.

England boss Gareth Southgate commended the Gunners star and highlighted key areas he has improved his game in the past year, as reported by Metro UK.

‘‘It is a top-level finish [from Saka]. That is the ruthless part he has added to his game in the last 18 months or so. There were times you weren’t sure he was going to finish, but now he has that confidence in front of goal,’’ he said.
‘‘When he’s in front of goal now he plays with real belief, that’s evident with his club and the games with us. You’re expecting him to score now when he goes through,’’ he added.

Saka sets personal best record

Sports Brief reported that Saka became the first Premier League player to hit double figures in both goals and assists this season.

He has scored 12 goals and assisted a further 10 in 28 league games, which is his personal best in the competition. He also scored one goal in the Europa League before Arsenal were eliminated.

He has started all 28 games for Arsenal in the league despite being one of the most fouled players, which highlights his fitness and reliability.

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Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.