Arsenal teen Saka justifying calls for England recognition

"Whoops!" Bukayo Saka gleefully exclaimed when watching his assist back against Newcastle. The youngster nutmegged Valentino Lazaro on the way to teeing up Nicolas Pepe's fourth league goal of the season in what was the teenager's best rated league performance of the campaign, and an outing he clearly enjoyed 

Indeed, Saka's WhoScored rating of 8.38 was enough to earn a spot in the European team of the week as the Gunners secured just their fifth home league win of the season. The victory marked his 11th league start of the campaign, but just his seventh at left-back. The absence of Kieran Tierney presented Saka with a chance to stake a regular claim for a place in the Arsenal XI and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, moving ahead of Sead Kolasinac in the pecking order. 

The assist for Pepe was Saka's second in the Premier League this season and eighth in all competitions he has featured in this term. He followed that up with his ninth assist in their hard-fought 1-0 win at Olympiacos on Thursday night, that more than any other Arsenal player, and while the 18-year-old still views himself as a more offensive player - "I feel like my dream was always to be a winger, to affect games, score goals and get assists" - Saka is clearly using the attributes of a winger to good effect from deep. 

It's of vital importance that the full-backs in Mikel Arteta's 4-2-3-1 system bombard upfield and Saka, along with Hector Bellerin on the opposite flank, need no second invitation to get forward to stretch opponents and provide a further attacking outlet, reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'dribbling', in particular, to good effect. 1.5 successful dribbles per 90 from left-back is a fine return for Saka and while the end product can be found wanting at times - he is making 0.3 key passes per 90 from left-back after all - it's a trait that will improve in time. 

And having gained a respectable WhoScored rating of 6.72 from left-back in the Premier League for an Arsenal side in a transitional process under Arteta, the exciting young talent is making the most of his spell in the first team, even if it is not in a role he perhaps sees a future in. The experience of those around him is playing a key role in his development, as Saka himself admits: "I've got Granit (Xhaka) behind, David (Luiz) supporting and speaking to me so it gives me licence to go and express myself in the final third and do what I can do." 

The duo may have endured their fair share of critics in the past, with Xhaka in particular facing the wrath of Arsenal fans earlier in the season, but the duo have 22 winners' medals between them, so learning from the pair and appreciating the importance that comes with carrying out the necessary defensive duties from left-back is key for his growth. It's clearly having a positive effect on Saka, too, with the youth academy product chipping in with 2.5 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per 90 from left-back in the Premier League this season. 

Now, this may suggest Saka is being pidgeon-holed into a new role, yet it couldn't be further from the truth. It's not only an additional feather in his bow, but with the mindset of a defender as a weapon in his arsenal, he'll be able to better understand the thinking of a full-back that will improve the consistency with which he is able to get the better of his opposite number if, or when, he does return to a more advanced role. 

Of course, Arsenal are now working tirelessly to tie Saka down to a new deal, but with talks said to be progressing smoothly, the player can focus on his game rather than off-field matters. And it's his work on the pitch that has seen his stock rise over recent months, with whispers of a possible England call-up, and even a spot in the Euro 2020 squad, in the works. Arteta will be keen to keep Saka grounded, yet the improvements to his game means it would be well-deserved recognition for his good form. 

England have ample options at both left-back and on the left wing when players are fully fit and firing on all cylinders, yet in the former position, there is a spot up for grabs in Gareth Southgate's squad. Ben Chilwell is Southgate's first choice left-back, of that there is no doubt, but with Danny Rose and Luke Shaw both hardly impressing in recent months, the Three Lions boss may look to Saka as a possible understudy for the Leicester man in the England setup. 

Not only would Saka be a fine backup for Chilwell, but he'd add versatility to the squad, which seems to be an increasingly important bonus for any player. For now, though, Saka will draw on confidence gained from his fine showing in Arsenal's 4-0 win over Newcastle and his man of the match display Greece as he continues to excel in Arteta's Gunners outfit.