One of the biggest questions coming out of England's World Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of France has been 'why did Gareth Southgate substitute Bukayo Saka?'
Seconds after former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud had restored Les Bleus' lead, the Three Lions manager opted to withdraw Saka in favour of Raheem Sterling in search of a second equaliser. A decision that has since been questioned by former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
"He (Theo Hernandez) couldn't handle Bukayo Saka, he was too much for Hernandez all game. I must admit I couldn't believe that Gareth took him off," the Sky Sports pundit said. "Even if we'd have got a goal and gone to extra-time, he was the player that every time we got the ball to him, it gets you on the edge of your seat.
READ MORE: Arsenal confident on Oleksandr Zinchenko injury amid latest Dubai training camp update
"I thought it was a really strange decision. Obviously you've got to make subs to try and affect the game, but that was certainly the wrong one. I would have kept him on for every single second of that game and I'm sure Hernandez, when he saw him go off, breathed a huge sigh of relief."
Echoing Redknapp's query were a number of Arsenal supporters on social media. However, one, in particular, has a theory - a potentially worrying one at that for Mikel Arteta ahead of the Premier League restart - which would go along way to explaining Southgate's 'strange decision'.
As seen in the tweet below, as per @StefanDjocker, Saka appeared to be feeling his knee following a challenge from Dayot Upamecano. With that said, the winger did require treatment around 10 minutes or so before his substitution after Adrien Rabiot and Theo Hernandez doubled up on him, so that may have been where he suffered the problem.
Now, if that footage is the reason for the 21-year-old's withdrawal then it's likely Southgate didn't want to take any chances with the Gunners winger as there's been no mention of an injury and that will please supporters who were furious with the treatment Saka received and the lack of protection from the referee.
Furthermore, the Arsenal ace was spotted walking freely after the game had finished and there was no sign of a bandage on his knee which indicates the north London outfit have avoided a major injury scare ahead of their game against West Ham United on Boxing Day.
Of course, that wasn't the first time Saka and Upamecano were in close quarters during the game. In fact, former Man United defender was adamant that the Bayern Munich star fouled the England winger in the build-up to Aurelien Tchouameni's goal: "It's not excuses there is 45 minutes to go, we've got to play the game of football and get back into the game," he said.
"Upacemeno has tried to win the ball on four or five occasions in the first half where it's impossible to win the ball. The one with Saka and the one with Kane and I think it is just a simply decision. It's not his first one, it's that one there, where he has kicked his leg away. I'm not quite sure how that isn't a foul. He is nibbling, nibbling and he's kicked his leg away. It's a foul."
READ NEXT:
Ben White returns to Arsenal training ahead of AC Milan clash after England World Cup squad exit
Eddie Nketiah reveals chat with Gabriel Jesus after injury as he aims to take Arsenal chance
What Martin Odegaard said to Cedric before Lyon proves Mikel Arteta right on Arsenal decision
Why Arsenal and England hero Bukayo Saka should win 2022 Fans' Footballer of the Year award
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
