Alan Pardew seriously impressed by ‘electric’ Arsenal player’s performance at Euro 2024

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Alan Pardew was keen to praise one ‘electric’ Arsenal player who performed superbly for his country at Euro 2024.

This European Championship has been a goal fest with there being a goal in every single game so far during the tournament in Germany.

Ironically, the two favourites for the competition, France and England, probably produced the worst performances in their wins, with both sides beating Austria and Serbia 1-0 in their opening games.

For England, it was a brilliant Jude Bellingham header that won them the game against Serbia after good work from Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka down the right hand side.

Pardew on ‘electrifying’ Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew was full of praise for the Arsenal winger.

“One of the things that has been missed amid all this negativity around Foden was the performance of Saka, who actually was quite electric, I thought, particularly in the first half,” Pardew said.

“That bodes well for us going forward because he does go on the outside. When you look at all these teams, the wide players always coming on the inside, always coming on the inside. Saka is one of the few in this tournament so far who has gone on the outside and created something.”

All of the talk since the victory over Serbia has been about the struggles of Phil Foden, who certainly does not look comfortable on the left for Gareth Southgate’s side.

Saka, however, looks right at home on the right-wing and if Foden continues to struggle, the Arsenal academy graduate could be relied upon for England’s creativity.

Agbonlahor also keen to praise the Arsenal star

Another pundit who was keen to praise Saka, following the win over Serbia, was former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor.

Agbonlahor believed that the Arsenal winger played well and looked like one of England’s best players on a scrappy night.

As England prepare for their next test against Denmark, Saka, who has 20 goals and 14 assists for Arsenal in the season just gone, will be vital for the Three Lions.