Bukayo Saka happy to help Arsenal teammate Emile Smith Rowe settle into England squad after ‘deserved’ call-up

Marc Mayo10 November 2021

Bukayo Saka says he is ready to help Arsenal teammate Emile Smith Rowe get settled into life in the England squad, following his first call-up.

The midfield duo are together in the Three Lions camp ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.

Both have enjoyed strong starts to the domestic campaign, not least Smith Rowe who has scored in three consecutive Premier League games. And Saka will be on hand to help out his club pal, should the 21-year-old need it.

"He is my friend so of course, if he needs anything I'm sure he will ask me," Saka told PA News agency. "If he needs anything, he knows I'm here for him.

“I think he deserves it. He has been playing extremely well for Arsenal, especially this season he is really starting to have an effect on games, scoring goals for us and winning games for us.

"I'm really happy for him, I'm really happy he is here and I hope he can kick on and have a fantastic week, hopefully continuing his club form here as well."

Gareth Southgate called up Smith Rowe after Marcus Rashford and James Ward-Prowse pulled out of the squad. The Arsenal academy graduate is the latest young star to get a chance with England and Saka praised the blend of youth and experience in the camp.

"I think the team has got really good balance," he told the PA news agency.

"It has got the right amount of senior players and the right amount of young players, I think we have got really good team chemistry and you can see that on and off the pitch as well.

"That really helps us and gives us a chance of winning a lot of games and going far in tournaments."

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