Arsenal star Bukayo Saka reveals the huge decision he made after Euros trauma – it changed everything

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Despite still being in the relatively early stages of his career, Bukayo Saka is already an experienced player for club and country.

The 23-year-old has already racked up 239 first-team appearances for Arsenal, since making his senior debut in November 2018.

Bukayo Saka has also amassed 43 England caps, and has scored 12 times for his country. The Hale End academy graduate has represented the Three Lions in three major international tournaments. 

His first tournament experience came at Euro 2020, when Gareth Southgate led the national team to the final of the competition at Wembley Stadium. However, it was an occasion that was ultimately destined to end in traumatic fashion for the country, and for Saka especially.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka opens up about England heartbreak

England took on Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Whilst Saka was not included in the starting XI, he was introduced to the fray in the 71st minute.

However, the Arsenal man could not prove the difference between the two sides and was unable to prevent the game from needing to be settled by a penalty shootout. 

Saka was the last England player to step up to the spot, with Jason Sancho and Marcus Rashford having already failed to score. When Gianluigi Donnarumma parried his effort away, Italy were confirmed as European champions.

Saka has now reflected on this incident, speaking in a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Italian outfit Inter Milan. 

He said: “I would say it was a very difficult moment for me. I didn’t know how I would come out of it. I took it day by day. I had a lot of support from family, the club and everyone at the national team.

“I also had a conversation with myself where I said I can either hide and not express myself or I can become the best player I can and if I get another chance to take a penalty I would grab that ball.

“I have taken quite a few penalties since then and scored most. It was a time in my life where I had a choice to make and I think I made the right one.”

Saka’s response to this moment has been hugely admirable, and his maturity has helped him to cope.

As if to emphasise how remarkable the attacker’s mentality really is, Saka has been named as Arsenal captain for this clash vs Inter Milan.

Saka response to Euros proves his elite mentality

Saka has grown as a player and person since Euro 2020, and is now a talismanic figure for Arsenal fans to be proud of on and off the pitch. 

As the winger himself admitted, he could have hidden after his penalty miss and given himself over to misery. Instead, he has kicked on and improved continuously since then, as his statistics from each of the four subsequent full campaigns he has played for Arsenal prove.

Saka is a truly world-class player, not just because of what he is able to deliver in terms of end product for the Gunners, but for his ability to bounce back from disappointments stronger than ever before.

The decision to respond to his Euro 2020 nightmare as positively as he did is what makes Saka a truly special player, and has fuelled his rise in recent years.