Eddie Nketiah has backed his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka to help England overcome Kylian Mbappe's France in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Saka has been a crucial part of Gareth Southgate's side, grabbing three goals in three matches including one in the round of 16 victory over Senegal. Watching on throughout the whole tournament has been Saka's fellow academy graduate and former England under-21 teammate Nketiah.
The 23-year-old is currently in Dubai with the Mikel Arteta's squad who continued their preparations for the return of Premier League football on Boxing Day with a 3-0 win over Lyon in which Nketiah scored. Speaking after the game though he revealed he's been keeping tabs on his fellow Hale Ender, and backed Saka to carry on his success.
READ MORE: Arteta’s dream result, Nketiah steps up, Marquinhos: Winners and losers from Arsenal's Lyon win
"It is amazing," Nketiah said of Saka's form. "He is an amazing player and an amazing player. He deserves everything, We thank God for the success he's had, we're all so proud of him and will continue to cheer him on and hopefully he'll keep doing well."
Of course, this promises to be an altogether different test for England who now take on reigning world champions France. Didier Deschamps side boast an intimidating wealth of attacking talent including arguably the best player on the planet right now in Mbappe.
Despite that though Nketiah believes it will be Saka who grabs the headlines come Saturday. Although it is an 11pm kick-off for the watching Arsenal players who have travelled to Dubai to step up their preparations for the return of Premier League football on Boxing Day, Nketiah admitted that he and his teammates would be up watching Saka in the hope that he can prove himself against the world's very best.
"Yeah, why not?" he said when asked if Saka could steal the headlines away from Mbappe. "He is a great player and he has done well at the tournament. I'm sure he'll be determined to do well. We are behind him and are going to be supporting him."
READ NEXT:
Mikel Arteta's Gabriel Jesus injury admission reveals Arsenal plan as second string step up
Why Arsenal must take £65m January gamble by signing World Cup star to ease Gabriel Jesus blow
Goncalo Ramos hands Arsenal transfer lesson as Edu prepares pivotal January window masterplan
Why Arsenal and England hero Bukayo Saka should win 2022 Fans' Footballer of the Year award
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
