Arsenal of England winger, Bukayo Saka has received the nod from his club’s coach, Mikel Arteta to honour an invitation to join the national team at the upcoming European Championship, megasportsarena.com reports.
In contrast with initial fear that The Gunners’ boss would stop the youngster from featuring in the competition, due to wories over injury heading into pre-season, Arteta has revealed that he will not stand in Saka’s way.
The Gunners’ gaffer went on to declare in clear terms that he has nothing against Saka being part of The Three Lions’ contingent at the European Championship this summer despite concerns over burnout.
The 19-year-old Nigerian-born left-footed winger has established himself as a rare shining light in a disappointing season for The Gunners, so much so that he recently played down suggestions he was carrying aloft the north London club.
His displays have led to a rapid international ascent, as Saka made his senior bow last October a month after his under-21 team debut and the four-cap winger is tipped for inclusion in England coach, Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2021 squad.
Mikel gave the assurance few hours before he granted Saka the opportunity of making his 51st appearance of the season for club and country when Arsenal welcome Brighton in the Premier League season finale on Sunday.
The former Manchester City and Arsenal midfielder, however, admitted it has been a very busy past couple of years for Saka, who burst on to the scene at the start of last season, but the Spanish submitted that he trusts Southgate to handle the Nigerian-born teenager carefully.
Arteta conceded: “There is a risk. The schedule they have been through in the last two years has been crazy. He’s handled that situation really, really well.
“I know Gareth and he’s brilliant at managing them as well. I spoke with him about it, we just hope they do the right thing.
“But he’s very determined to go and help his country and he needs to enjoy that because he has earned every right to be there.”
