Bukayo Saka hailed by Arsenal hero Ian Wright after becoming youngest star to start semi-final for England at Euro 2020

BUKAYO SAKA was ‘destined’ to make a record-breaking start for England against Denmark, according to Ian Wright.

Arsenal legend Wright, 57, detailed how the winger’s emergence for the Three Lions did not happen overnight.

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Bukayo Saka became England’s youngest-ever semi-final starter at WembleyCredit: AP

He told ITV: “We’re talking about someone that joined Arsenal’s academy at age seven.

“He’s progressed through, he’s always been somebody that’s played at a higher level.

“He’s played for England since he was 16, he’s played at every level.

“He’s not just arrived here, he’s somebody that was destined to do what he’s doing right now.

“That’s why everyone at Arsenal knows what he’s capable of, and we’re seeing it right now.”

Saka became the youngest-ever player to start a semi-final for England’s senior men’s team on Wednesday, at the age of 19 years, 10 months and two days.

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Ian Wright heaped praise on Arsenal star Saka ahead of the gameCredit: ITV

It was his third appearance at Euro 2020 having been brought into the starting line-up for the group clash with Czech Republic.

Fellow pundit and former England defender Gary Neville paid tribute to Gareth Southgate for giving Saka the opportunity.

He stated: “It’s a massive achievement, but I think it’s typical of Gareth’s reign, where he’s ripped up the rule book.

“You don’t have to be a starting player for a club, you don’t have to be at a fashionable club, you don’t have to be at a Champions League club, you don’t even have to be the most popular with the media or with the fans.

“If you’re in form in training, he’ll pick you in a game, and it’s paying off.

“The lads that are out on the pitch are the ones who have been in the best form, and Saka’s been electric in the games that he’s played.”

What Saka’s done in the previous matches, he’s really embraced that challenge.

Gareth Southgate

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Gareth Southgate has started Saka in three of England’s six Euro 2020 gamesCredit: Getty

Southgate explained before the semi-final that Saka provided a better balance to the team than Jadon Sancho, who started the win over Ukraine.

He said: “What he’s done in the previous matches, he’s really embraced that challenge.

“We were very pleased with Jadon at the weekend.

“Everybody knows we’ve got fantastic options in those areas but we felt for the balance of tonight that Bukayo is the right choice.”

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