During international breaks, you always get the comments about Gareth Southgate “overplaying” Bukayo Saka. Personally I have no issue with it.
This accusation has also been directed towards Mikel Arteta previously.
In October last, Arteta spoke brilliantly about Saka’s work load:
“Look at the top players in the world, they play 70 matches and every three days and make the difference and win the game.
“You want to be at the top, you have to be able to do that. If we start to put something different in the minds of our young players I think we are making a huge mistake because then it’s one yes, one no, now I don’t play, on astroturf I don’t play, I don’t want that.
“I want them to be ruthless every three days. They are going to be knocking on my door, [saying] ‘I want to play, I want to win the game.’”
He added: “There is not a fitness coach in the world who is going to tell me that they cannot do it because I’ve seen it. 72 games, score 50 goals. The players don’t score 50 goals if they play 38 games in the season, it’s impossible.”
Arteta is aluding to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. And that if Saka wants to get near to these guys level, he has to have the desire to play every game he can.
Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas were similar.
All 4 had career spanning 15+ years, and played a combined 3,692 games for club and country.
Saka has just turned 22 and has played 217 for Arsenal and England.
At 24, Kylian Mbappe has already played 375 games. Vinicius Junior is already north of 300 and is only a year older than Saka.
Haaland, 23 years old, is at 284 games.
If Saka wants to be considered as one of the best players of his generation, he needs to be playing the games, and maintaing the level.
Others around his age were playing 50-60 games a season, so Saka should be expected to play at the same level. And Arsenal fans will need to get used to it.
Jack Grealish, who pulled out of this England squad, will never be talked about as a modern great. He is not one of the best in the world.
Saka could become one of the greatest players of his generation and one of England (and Arsenal’s) all time best players.
Playing every possible available minute for club and country is just want all to players do.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
More to the point, he wants to play!
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Success comes from hardwork, discipline and the will to win. Let the boys play.
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