Bukayo Saka has been out of form for some time now. Despite Arsenal being top of the league and potentially being on for a treble, it has been one of Bukayo Saka's worst seasons in an Arsenal shirt.
It would be harsh to pin the recent Carabao Cup final loss on one individual player, [except Kepa Arrizabalaga](https://paininthearsenal.com/mikel-arteta-ignored-warning-signs-cost-arsenal-trophy), of course, Saka hardly covered himself in glory. Saka, along with his frontline teammates, went missing at Wembley Stadium, and the only reason we aren't talking about Arsenal's attack is that they refused to show up... This is arguably worse than Kepa's goalkeeping errors.
Bukayo Saka will now enter international duty with England as they face Japan in their final friendly match before the World Cup.
The real reason Bukayo Saka will start for England
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Due to his form, many England fans will be asking the question - Does Saka even deserve to start for England in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer?
The answer to that question, whether they like it or not, is yes. Saka does deserve to start.
He may be out of form this season compared to his own high standards, but if we're being completely frank, he's still the best right-wing option for England. No player has played better than him objectively this season, and Saka is a proven England player who has shown on multiple occasions that he can do it for the Three Lions.
Bukayo Saka's England inclusion doesn't paper over the cracks
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This is exactly the problem, though. Bukayo Saka will be hoping for a bright summer at the World Cup. Personally speaking, he needs it more than anyone in the squad. He's probably going to be a Premier League champion, but as his own harshest critic, he'll know that [he needs to step it up a gear](https://paininthearsenal.com/jurrien-timber-pain-become-bukayo-saka-gain) next season. And that starts before the end of this one.
To say Bukayo Saka is making the England team based on built-up credit and players around him being not quite up to scratch might seem harsh, but it's the unfortunate reality.
If anything, that's a testament to Bukayo Saka. Even at his worst, he is still the best available option for England. He remains one of England's best players, and Thomas Tuchel might be more cutthroat than Gareth Southgate was, but he will recognise this.
Nevertheless, Bukayo Saka being involved for England mustn't, and won't, take away from the fact that he needs to be playing better.