What actually happened when Bukayo Saka played at left-back for Arsenal amid England calls

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There has been plenty of debate over Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s role in the England side, with some claiming that he should be played at left-back.

Saka first broke into the Arsenal first-team at left-back, and with England struggling in the position as a result of a lack of backup for Luke Shaw, it was suggested that Saka moves back there.

England will face Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, and it appears that Saka will start at left wing-back in a changed system.

Ian Wright caused a storm when he claimed that Saka could move to left-back ahead of the last-16 tie against Slovakia, and during the game he briefly moved to cover the position.

Many claimed that the 22-year-old could be a natural in the position, given his experience in the role at Arsenal, but the reality was very different.

Bukayo Saka showed limitations in left-back role at Arsenal

Saka was a highly rated talent and appeared as a winger on occasion under Unai Emery, but injuries to Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac meant that the then-teenager was forced to come into the team as a left-back under Freddie Ljungberg and then Mikel Arteta in 2019.

The Hale End graduate’s immense talent and intelligence meant that he settled into the first team in this role, but it was not without its problems.

Saka thrived going forward in the role, providing three Premier League assists in 11 starts from left-back, including setting up Nicolas Pepe with a stunning move against Newcastle United in February 2020.

However, it was still clear that he was a winger, not a left-back, and his defensive limitations sometimes showed. Arsenal were a poor defensive unit at the time, but the space behind him was sometimes targeted.

Granit Xhaka, who is set to captain Switzerland against England, was crucial to Saka succeeding at left-back, as he would drop deeper into space on the left side to allow the young talent to push further forward. On paper, he was a left-back, but in reality, it was never a long-term solution.

Could Bukayo Saka play at wing-back for England?

Whilst moving to left-back would certainly not be a solution for England, with Saka admitting that he would not like to move to that role, moving to a back three with him at wing-back could work.

With a back three behind him and Declan Rice next to him, Saka could still be allowed to push forward, and moving to the left will allow him to hold width and provide crosses rather than cutting inside.

Saka’s intelligence and well-rounded game means that he is the most suitable winger England have to move into such a role, and this may be the solution for England to solve their problem on that side.

This does not reflect badly on Saka at all. If anything, it is a testament to his versatility that he is the one trusted to move to a new position during a high-pressure knockout game, as he has the ability to make an impact going forward from any position.