Jack Wilshere has questioned whether England fans realise how 'truly great' Bukayo Saka is. The 21-year-old winger has enjoyed a great start to the season with Arsenal, heading into the World Cup top of the Premier League.
Saka has featured 14 times for Mikel Arteta's side this season, directly contributing towards 10 goals. His impressive displays have seen the Hale End graduate become a pillar of the Gunners' success and he's now set to play as important of a role for the Three Lions in Qatar.
Despite Saka having led England to the European championship final last summer, Wilshere doesn't believe that supporters realise the Arsenal winger's 'special gift'. Speaking to The Sun, the former Gunners midfielder said: "I wonder if the England fans realise what a truly great player we have in Bukayo Saka.
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"Yes, I know I’ll be accused of bias because Bukayo plays for Arsenal but, honestly, he has special gifts. What amazes me about him is he always makes the right decision, it’s incredible.
"It is so rare for a young player – he’s only just turned 21 – to instinctively know what is right in any given situation. I stress with my Arsenal Under-18 players to study him."
Singing from the same hymn sheet, Martin Keown has told Southgate that he can rely on Saka as a game changer at the World Cup. Speaking as a pundit on BT Sport last month, the former Arsenal defender said: "We've got a World Cup coming up and I just feel now that he's got to be the one that Southgate turns to in that position.
"I don't care who it is - they're not playing better than he is. He's really important right now."
Southgate will be hoping that Wilshere and Keown are right as England look to soothe the nations Euro 2020 and 2018 World Cup sorrows. In the meantime, Arteta will be hoping that Saka steers clear of injuries in order for Arsenal to build-upon their title charge.
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