Some Arsenal fans have been reacting on social media to reports by The Telegraph that Gareth Southgate will drop Bukayo Saka and use a back-three when England face Germany.
The Three Lions boss has been considering a change of system for the Last 16 Euro 2020 tie since last Thursday. But he is keen to keep Raheem Sterling in the starting line-up after the Manchester City winger’s group stage goals.
Southgate also intends to recall Phil Foden, which will see Jack Grealish fall to the bench in line with the change in shape. Foden starting would cost Arsenal sensation Saka his place on the right-flank, as well.
Southgate hopes England facing Germany with three central defenders and wing-backs will increase the side’s creativity. The Three Lions struggled to carve out goalscoring chances in the group stage but progressed having scored just twice.
The over-lapping runs from the wing-backs is intended to allow Sterling and Foden to move closer to Harry Kane. Kyle Walker featuring at centre-half is also intended to help limit the threat posed by Serge Gnabry and Germany’s left-hand-side.
Saka made his competition debut in the final group stage fixture against the Czech Republic and the Arsenal product impressed. It was from his dazzling run into the box that England scored, having found Grealish who then played Sterling in.
Arsenal fans against Southgate’s England plans for Saka
But Saka failed to do enough to prove himself to Southgate, it seems, which Arsenal fans do not agree with. Some have taken to social media to question the England manager’s plans for their academy graduate.
A few struggle to understand why Southgate cannot see the impact Saka can offer England after providing seven goals and 10 assists for Arsenal last season.
Others also believe Southgate should unleash their £30,000-per-week star at full-back if the 19-year-old is not starting on the wing. Saka has played a frequent role at wing-back for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta when without Kieran Tierney and performed well.
So, here are some messages from Arsenal fans on Southgate reportedly axing Saka for England’s Euro 2020 clash with Germany…
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