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Ian Wright responds after Arsenal fan criticism for Bukayo Saka England left-back comments
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is gearing up to represent England in Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
The Gunners ace has started all four of the Three Lions’ matches at the tournament so far, and played the full 120 minutes against Slovakia in the last 16.
Although England have reached the last eight of the competition, they’ve flattered to deceive so far, to put it mildly.
Gareth Southgate’s charges have been accused of lacking balance on the left, which prompted Arsenal icon Ian Wright to suggest playing Saka at left-back.
Wright received criticism from some Gunners fans for making the suggestion.
Meanwhile, Saka himself – as well as Southgate – didn’t seem to agree with what the Highbury legend said, as per .
However, reports are now doing the rounds suggesting Saka will indeed be named at left wing-back against Switzerland.
, for instance, have reported that England will now line up in a 5-2-2-1 / 4-2-3-1 formation, with Saka on the left flank.
Wright and Gary Neville spoke about the latest developments on The Overlap, and the Arsenal legend had his say on the criticism he received from some Gunners fans.
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Ian Wright shrugs off Arsenal fan criticism over Bukayo Saka England left-back comments
Neville said: “He may play Saka at left wing-back, which is obviously something you mentioned.”
Wright responded: “The thing about it is it would be a shame, you know what I mean.
“When I mentioned it, you know, kind of came on top a little bit, but I mentioned it because our manager saw it fit not to being a back-up to Luke Shaw and it was something that I mentioned as a solution, so you know, Saka mentioned that it’s not something that he wanted to do, but…”
Neville then said: “The Arsenal fans got on to you for it, didn’t they?”
Wright replied: “Yeah, but I am not bothered about what they are saying.
“The fact is that I put a question to everybody about, well, now that we haven’t got a back-up left-back, we have got somebody who has played there, so then you ask the question. People can go that. I am not really fussed about that.
“The thing is I am more talking about getting that left side going, so if it’s Luke Shaw and he can do it, then it’s fine. If not, Gareth says he’s going to play Saka, then hopefully that will get it going.”
England v Switzerland preview
England have made it to the quarter-finals after winning Group C with a victory over Serbia and draws with Denmark and Slovenia, before sneaking past Slovakia in the last 16.
They’ll be up against a Switzerland outfit bidding to reach the semi-finals of a competition for the first time in their history.
Murat Yakin’s charges beat Hungary in their Group A opener before drawing with Scotland and Germany.
Switzerland then convincingly beat Italy in the last 16 to book a quarter-final spot against the Euro 2020 finalists.
One change Southgate will definitely have to make to his side is at centre-back.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is suspended and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is expected to come in.
Jude Bellingham is available to play despite receiving a suspended ban from UEFA for his celebration against Slovakia.
Luke Shaw is back in training but Southgate isn’t likely to start him after five months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.