Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says exciting youngster Bukayo Saka is good enough to play for the Three Lions of England.
Saka has represented England up to under-19 level, but is being courted by Nigeria, where his parents came from.
Also Read: QPR Set Eze’s Transfer Fee At £20m
Recently the 18-year-old told Sky Sports that it is difficult to choose between playing for Nigeria or England.
“It’s a tough choice. I’m happy to have represented England at youth level but I’m also proud of my Nigerian heritage from my parents.
“We haven’t been picked by any team so it’s about staying humble and when the time comes we’ll make the decision.”
And commenting on where would be suitable for Saka, Arteta said he will be a good fit for England and will offer him his advice on where to switch his allegiance if consulted.
“If I get asked the question then I can give my opinion,” Arteta was quoted on Daily Mail.
“He hasn’t come to me with that so for now I will leave it totally independent with the player and his family as they normally have a big say with their background, their culture and where they are coming from. I don’t want to step in there.
“Absolutely [he is good enough to play for England] – and he’s very clever to make the right decision, as well.”
In the past Chelsea and England players Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham have previously turned down a chance to play for the Super Eagles.
However, former Arsenal man Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi plead their allegiances to Nigeria after featuring for the youth teams of England beforehand.
Nigeria are already plotting to fast-track the left-sided utility player into the senior set-up in the hope of persuading him to choose an international career with them over England.
Their ploy to tempt Saka has taken a back seat in recent weeks owing to the long delay in international football due to coronavirus.
But with national team matches due to return in September, the Nigeria Football Federation will ramp up their efforts, with Saka still to make a final decision.
11 Comments
England will cap and stop using them. These guys are just trying all their best never to allow a black nation win a world cup and these lads are not helping matters.
So, that means they never considered you good enough all this while?? Saka, you have heard it from Arteta who understands the politics they (the English) play with people in your class. They would never consider you good enough to play for them, they’d just cap you once and then permanently destroy your international football career. They just wouldn’t want to see you make progress with another country. Use ur head and make the right decision!
Saka shine ur eyes….
Arteta or Artika whatever you are called mind yourself and mjnd the Arsenal job that you are still learning on the job as if you are a coach yet. You grew up in France but native Spain. Why didn’t you go to play for France after waiting all your linfe for a call up to Spain which you never got despite how good you were as a midfielder. Shame on you that you will try to deceive a little boy that you were supposed to concentrate on coach and leave your advice. Thank God the boy is wiser than you are
Bia mr arteta mind your self why have you choose to represent ur own country u would have played for France because u grew there,but thank God that saka didn’t ask for your opinion,ewu
Please Mr arteta kindly mind ur business. You are not in the position to advice him in matters that are so personal and delicate like this, in fact don’t take and interview regarding this matter or else you want make corona organise that ur mouth. That is how lampard carry he big head dey form fatherly figure follow tomori and Abraham, go toast them enter trap after them don enter English one chance thesame lampard stopped playing them regularly as before not minding how it will affect their international fixtures. Una wey knew start coaching na una do oversabi pass. Qualify for Europe No way, lampard wey dey second before don dey beg for fourth position. Arteta stay ur lane you are a Spanish man mind ur job with arsenal and live Saka alone (yeye foul) pteeeuuuu
I believe Saka should make a wise decision on his future and not let Arteta decide for him by swaying him to England . Nigeria truly wants him and is willing to play him for long because we know his worth .
Look at Leon Balogun who has 32 caps for Nigeria has played in the world cup and has won bronze for the super Eagles. He even is playing for Glasgow Rangers one of the greatest teams in Scotland after playing in two English clubs the moment he left Mainz of Germany. The super Eagles playing time will give Saka more credibility and he will not regret it.
Arteta or Artika whatever you are called mind yourself and mjnd the Arsenal job that you are still learning on the job as if you are a coach yet. You grew up in France but native Spain. Why didn’t you go to play for France after waiting all your linfe for a call up to Spain which you never got despite how good you were as a midfielder. Shame on you that you will try to deceive a little boy that you were supposed to concentrate on coach and leave your advice. Thank God the boy is wiser than you are
Learn from other people experience.no future for you in three lions..come to the place you will be reverenced and celebrated.
Funny enough,he isn’t reading any of your post if he wants to represent the three lions he’s free to do that, it’s his own kettle of fish after all Nigeria is blessed with more skillful players that can play his wing.
What will be will be, no need being emotional in this situation.
For me if Saka plays for us it’s good but when not it’s also okay, after all we are suppose to reap where we sowed and it’s soldier go soldier come Super Eagles remains.
It’s all about personal interests simple.