England Or Nigeria: Arteta Speaks On Saka’s Situation

The flying teenager has been excellent for the Gunners, recently signing a long-term contract but his international future remains unclear

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta is confident that kid wonder Bukayo Saka has the talent to star for the Three Lions. Still, he insists he has no say in which country the young winger will choose to represent.

Saka is torn between playing for England – his country of birth – and Nigeria – his parents’ birthplace.

England have an edge in the race to secure the allegiance of Saka as he has featured for the Three Lions at youth levels, including at the 2018 U-17 European Championships.

Nigeria, though, have a history of convincing players with dual citizenship to play for the Super Eagles with the likes of Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, and Ola Aina switching allegiance in the recent past.

Saka has confessed that deciding on any of the two nations is a tough choice, and Arteta has chosen to stay out of the decision-making process unless the youngster seeks his opinion.

“If I get asked the question, then I can give my opinion,” Arteta said in a chat with the Daily Mail.

“He hasn’t come to me with that so, for now, I will leave it totally independent with the player and his family as they normally have a big say with their background, their culture, and where they are coming room. I don’t want to step in there.

“Absolutely [he is good enough to play for England] – and he’s very clever to make the right decision, as well.”