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Lee Wilmot

Bukayo Saka set for new role as Arsenal star makes way for 'player of the season'

Arsenal will have three players in the England squad at the World Cup this winter. Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka, mainstays of recent squads under Gareth Southgate, will be joined on the plane by Ben White.

Out of the three Saka is the most likely to start, with Ramsdale and White expected to play back-up to Southgate's first XI picks. White, however, could have forced his way into the reckoning due to his versatility at the back and injuries to defensive players.

Saka, meanwhile, faces tough competition in the forward areas for a place alongside captain Harry Kane, with Raheem Sterling a firm favourite of Southgate's and Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford and now James Maddison all looking for a starting berth.

READ MORE: Vinicius Jr says what every Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham World Cup star is thinking

But much like White, Saka's versatility could ensure he gets a starting spot, albeit not in the position he would normally like. The youngster plays in a front three with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli normally at Arsenal and that is where he would like to be deployed for England.

But former England boss Glenn Hoddle thinks he could play elsewhere in the team. The Betfair ambassador believes Saka should play at left wing-back as a result of the lack of depth in that area.

Hoddle said: "I wouldn't play Luke Shaw as left-back. I think we need three centre backs and having Shaw on the left side of a three could be interesting. He's in good form, looks confident and looks like he wants the ball. He's been very assertive and positive with his play recently.

"Bukayo Saka can play as a left wing-back and he can play on the right side of a three up front. He's very adaptable. There are lots of little options that Gareth has that perhaps people haven't thought about.

"I'd go with Trent Alexander-Arnold on one side, with Bukayo Saka on the other. Both are excellent at getting forward, but they can also help out defensively when needed."

Moving Saka back there would make room in the front three. And Hoddle says one of the '"players of the season so far" should take one of the spots alongside Kane.

He added: "I'm very, very pleased to see that James Maddison will be going to the World Cup. There were a few whispers coming out in the last couple of days that he wasn't going to go, but that wasn't true and I'm very pleased to see that he's in.

"He's a top player in top form. It's strange because we're right in the middle of a season and I think it's positive that players who are in really good form at the moment are going straight into the World Cup.

"Maddison has been one of the players of the season so far with his assists, goals and the way he plays and creates. We've got a lot of players of a similar ilk really, and that's why I thought Gareth may possibly leave him out, but I'm glad to see him in the squad.

"I hope he plays at the tournament, but I think that will be down to Gareth's system. I would definitely look at him to play. He's in better form than some of the players at the moment, but they may come good for the World Cup. Raheem Sterling is one who we know he can play better than he has recently.

"I've always been a massive fan of Phil Foden, him and Maddison would be something special just behind Harry Kane. Foden and Maddison behind Harry Kane is what I would go with. That's leaving Mason Mount out, who's been brilliant for Gareth over a consistent period, but I think he's looking a little bit jaded at the moment."

READ NEXT:

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Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Son Heung-min and other Tottenham stars confirmed to be at the World Cup

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