Saka identifies Inter dangers and reflects on EURO 2020 penalty miss | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka believes that Inter’s centre-forwards and wing-backs can cause difficulties for Arsenal when they play against the Nerazzurri at San Siro in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The England international joined Mikel Arteta for the pre-match press conferences on Tuesday evening.

Saka has recently been wearing the Arsenal armband in the absence of regular captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian has travelled with the squad, unlike Declan Rice, but Saka is expected to lead the team out against Inter on Wednesday night.

“Martin’s still the captain, I’m just part of the leadership group and I wear the armband when he’s not around. When I do have the armband I’m more of a lead by example kind of guy,” Saka said when asked about his leadership style.

Saka then explained which areas Inter could trouble Arsenal with when the two sides meet tomorrow night.

“We’ve studied Inter. They’re really strong in possession and are really dangerous with their strikers, but also with their wing-backs. We need to defend at our best tomorrow, looking not to concede and trying to win.”

Saka reflects on EURO 2020 penalty miss

On Italian soil, Saka was asked for his reflections three years on from his penalty miss in the EURO 2020 final between England and Italy, which the Azzurri of course won after the Wembley shootout.

Bukayo Saka of England is fouled by Giorgio Chiellini of Italy during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“I would say it was a very difficult moment for me,” Saka said. “I didn’t know how I would come out of it. I took it day by day. I had a lot of support from family, the club and everyone at the national team.

“I also had a conversation with myself where I said I can either hide and not express myself or I can become the best player I can and if I get another chance to take a penalty I would grab that ball. I have taken quite a few penalties since then and scored most.

“It was a time in my life where I had a choice to make and I think I made the right one.”