Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has defended one Arsenal star, claiming the under-fire England international has ‘become a scapegoat’.
England take on Croatia in the Nations League tonight and Thomas Tuchel has four Arsenal stars at his disposal after Ezri Konsa recovered from an injury scare.
Bukayo Saka started against Spain and Czech Republic last week but his performances have attracted criticism, especially when compared to Anthony Gordon’s headline-grabbing exploits on the opposite flank.
The 25-year-old has been an ever-present for club and country on the right-wing for the past several seasons but his form has dipped since suffering a lengthy hamstring injury in 2024.
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But Cascarino doesn’t believe the criticism is fair, telling talkSPORT: ‘The amount of [people] questioning Saka…
‘Saka’s done brilliant. He’s 25-years-old, he’s had an amazing time. The only time I’ve seen him not play his best football is when he was recovering from injury.
‘He’s started this season with three goals in five games for Arsenal, so he’s in really good form. I feel like Saka’s become a little bit of a scapegoat. I think he is a huge bonus for England.’
With Chelsea duo Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, as well as Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha waiting in the wings, there have been calls to drop Saka.
Cascarino couldn’t disagree more however, adding: ‘I think he’s still the one to beat, he’s still got the shirt for me, the starting place.
‘I think he’s underrated in some ways because his work effort is always the same. He always gives a really hard shift.
‘He always offers a lot to the team, he always wants the ball. He has his great moments where he’ll drive towards the byline, he chips in with goals. There’s a hell of a player in there.
‘Is he as good as the best in the world? No, there are other wingers that are ahead of him. That doesn’t mean Saka might improve again in the next year or two.’
Tuchel will have a tough time selecting his right-back, likely to be Trent Alexander-Arnold or Jarell Quansah, recently revealing their relationship with Saka plays a big factor.
‘All wingers are reliant on their full-backs, that’s where the game has changed,’ Cascarino noted.
‘The relationship now, wingers are expected to do way more defending and also they get the support from full-backs. When he plays his best football with Arsenal, it’s normally when Ben White’s behind him.’
Tuchel admitted he had planned to call up Saka’s club teammate, only for White to pick up an injury just before the international break.
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