Arsenal legend Ian Wright has now clashed with Manchester United hero Gary Neville over the latter’s suggestion to bench a ‘great’ Gunners star in the last 16 of Euro 2024.
The north London giants saw 11 of their players head to Germany this summer to represent nine different nations. Arsenal have even seen eight of their men reach the knockout stages. Leandro Trossard for Belgium will also meet teammate William Saliba for France on Monday.
It is the sole last 16 meeting with Arsenal players on separate sides of the field. Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice will strive to help England beat Slovakia, while David Raya’s Spain got Georgia, Jorginho’s Italy got Switzerland and Kai Havertz’s Germany got Denmark.
Ian Wright and Gary Neville clash over England benching Arsenal star Bukayo Saka
Neville, however, feels Gareth Southgate must consider benching Saka on Sunday and bring Cole Palmer into the England XI against Slovakia. The Manchester United hero adored what the Chelsea player produced during his cameo against Slovenia in their final Group C match.
Fellow Manchester United legend Roy Keane also would not oppose Southgate trading Saka for Palmer when England face Slovakia. He stated on Stick to Football after Neville noted he loves the Arsenal star ‘to bits’ that Southgate will not be dropping Saka but just resting him.
READ MORE: Every Arsenal player at Euro 2024 as 11 stars represent their nations
“You are saying Saka as if Saka has been dropped, it’s not,” Keane stated following Neville’s suggestion. “Like in any team, it’s a rotation and Saka could still have a big influence in the tournament. I wouldn’t be against that.”
But Arsenal legend Wright clashed with Neville, believing no matter how Southgate framed Saka coming out of the XI it would be seen as England dropping the Gunners player. He also feels the 22-year-old has been the Three Lions’ most creative presence at Euro 2024 so far.
“I am not dropping him. I am not dropping him,” Wright replied. “That is how it will be perceived because Saka is, at the moment, he’s our most productive player up there.”
Gary Neville feels Cole Palmer deserves to start for England vs Slovakia
Neville is firm in his belief that Palmer deserves to play when England face Slovakia, though, even at Saka’s expense. The 22-year-old made the Chelsea star’s first minutes of Euro 2024 in the Three Lions’ 0-0 draw with Slovenia. He also replaced Saka, who has started every tie.
“I love Saka but I honestly think Palmer just has to be given a game,” Neville added. “I think he has to be given [match time]. Just something tells me the way he played for 20 minutes the other night, he deserves [a game].
“He may come off the bench [and] Gareth may stick with what he has got and there would be no, [a] great player [is] Saka, so I have no problem with it. But I feel Palmer needs to play now. I think Palmer, [Kobbie] Mainoo and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] come in.”
England have not played to Bukayo Saka’s strengths at Euro 2024
Arsenal product Saka has so far started all three of England’s Euro 2024 fixtures and created one of their two goals. Jude Bellingham headed in the winger’s deflected cross to win 1-0 in the first game against Serbia. It came after England utilised Saka’s abilities on the right wing.
Kyle Walker threaded a pass down the flank for Saka to run onto against Serbia and let him run at the defence. But, through their following fixtures against Denmark and Slovenia, the Three Lions have seldom given Saka chances to run at a full-back or give him much support.
When England did work Saka the ball against Denmark, he also tried his hardest to create a chance. He also took up a great position at the back post to score against Slovenia, only for the officials to disallow it after Phil Foden mistimed his run and was offside in the build-up.
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