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Football London
Football London
Sport
Jamie Kemble & Bobby Vincent

Gareth Southgate reveals his message to Arsenal star Bukayo Saka ahead of Three Lions debut

Gareth Southgate has told Bukayo Saka what he must do to solidify his place in the England squad.

The Arsenal youngster was called up to the Three Lions senior squad for the first time ahead of tonight's friendly with Wales and the Nations League clashes with Belgium and Denmark.

Ahead of the game with Wales, England boss Southgate has revealed what he told newboys Saka, as well as Dominic Calvert-Lewis, Jack Grealish and Danny Ings.

Asked what he told the players, the Three Lions boss replied: "Just what they’ve been doing with their clubs.

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"The same with Jack Grealish, Danny Ings - it’s a first start for all four of them, actually.

"We’ve said before, ‘you’re in because of what you’ve been doing with your clubs, that they are in positions we think allow you to recreate those roles and runs’.

"They’ve got to go and do that, they won’t be perfect. But if mistakes do happen, then it’s about how they react and how they respond to that.”

Saka started the game against Wales, which England lead 1-0 at half-time.

He made it into the Three Lions senior squad having already racked up 29 league appearances for Arsenal at the age of 19 and represented England at five age groups between under-16s and under-21s.

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