Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, has insisted that Bukayo Saka will be fine after his miss for England in their Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy last Sunday.
Saka saw his spot-kick saved by Italy shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, ensuring Roberto Mancini’s side won the Euro 2020 on a 3-2 penalty win after the game ended in a 1-1 draw following 120 minutes.
A tearful Saka was comforted by his England teammates on the pitch at Wembley Stadium, while England coach, Gareth Southgate, personally took the blame for the 19-year-old’s penalty miss.
But Arteta has now expressed confidence that Saka will bounce back because of his strong character.
Asked if he had personally spoken with Saka after England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, Arteta told Sky Sports: “Yes, I have. We all have, I think, spoken to him, sent messages.
“He’ll be fine. He’s such a strong character. He has received a lot of love and support from world football, not only with Arsenal but the national team and all the English fans, because he doesn’t deserve anything like [what] he has been through.
“He has had a phenomenal season.
“In football, you want to be part of the greatest, you have to know today, at 19, that you lose more than you win, unfortunately in this game and there are no exceptions to that rule.”