Young Gunner can hardly believe his meteoric England rise

The 19-year-old made his Three Lions debut in Thursday’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales at Wembley.

It marked the pinnacle of a quick ascent from the Arsenal youth set-up to representing his country at senior level for the first time.

Saka made just his second start for Arsenal in a Europa League group-stage win at Eintracht Frankfurt in September 2019 – scoring and providing two assists in a game where he shone. He went from strength to strength following Mikel Arteta’s appointment as Gunners chief three months later and has since signed a new long-term deal at the club and taken the coveted No 7 shirt.

His performances had already seen questions put to England manager Gareth Southgate about a potential call-up – and that finally came for the Wales game and forthcoming Nations League fixtures at home to Belgium and Denmark.

“No, I couldn’t have imagined it,” he said. “Frankfurt, I still remember it like it was yesterday, it was a very special night and a dream come true to make my debut and score for Arsenal. Now it is another dream come true to make my debut for England and hopefully it can be the first of many.

“Putting the shirt on was a very special moment. When I put it on before the game I remembered all the times I put it on in the youth team and this one was just different, so special for me.

“To play at Wembley, there’s no fans but in front of the manager and such high quality players is a special moment.”

Saka hopes to face Belgium tomorrow night but he feels there is a long way to go before he can start to believe he may be included in England’s Euro 2020 squad next summer.

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Thank you, James Mitchinson. Editor.